LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Rifampin
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Category C. Rifampin has been shown to be teratogenic in rodents given oral doses of rifampin 15 to 25 times the human dose. Although rifampin has been reported to cross the placental barrier and appear in cord blood, the effect of RIFADIN, alone or in combination with other antituberculosis drugs, on the human fetus is not known. Neonates of rifampin-treated mothers should be carefully observed for any evidence of adverse effects. Isolated cases of fetal malformations have been reported; ... there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Rifampin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Rifampin in oral doses of 150 to 250 mg/kg produced teratogenic effects in mice and rats.
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Rifampin is a somewhat unique antibiotic that is used in combination with erythromycin. Rifampin penetrates abscesses and most body tissues including bone and CNS. This property makes rifampin particularly useful for the treatment of R. equi because one of the major problems associated with these infections is abscess formation. Rifampin should always be used in combination with another antibiotic because when rifampin is used alone, the bacteria are rapidly able to develop resistance. Rifampin can be either bactericidal or bacteriostatic depending on the specific organism and the concentration of the drug.
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Effects of Rifampin on mRNA Expression in Primary Human Hepatocytes Assessed by cDNA-Based Microarrays. CLONTECH Atlas Human Stress/Toxicology Arrays were used to measure the overall effects of rifampin on the level of mRNA expression in primary human hepatocytes. A series of hepatocyte cultures were treated with vehicle control (<0.1% DMSO) or 33µM rifampin for 3days, and the mRNA levels in each group were compared. Figure 1 shows the results from one representative hepatocyte preparation. Figure 1A is an image showing subsections of the filters, which contain a portion of the genes induced by rifampin. On this array the cDNAs have been spotted in duplicate and increased spot intensities related directly to the mRNA levels in the sample.
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Rifampin can lower the number of white blood cells in your blood temporarily, increasing the chance of getting an infection. It can ... lower the number of platelets, which are necessary for proper blood clotting. These problems may result in a greater chance of getting certain infections, slow healing, and bleeding of the gums. Be careful when using a regular toothbrush, dental floss, or a toothpick. Dental work should be delayed until your blood counts have returned to normal. Check with your medical doctor or dentist if you have any questions about proper oral hygiene (mouth care) during treatment.
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Rifampin can be associated with severe adverse effects such as hepatitis, acute renal failure, hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia has traditionally been associated with intermittent therapy. This article reports the occurrence of rifampin-associated thrombocytopenia in an indigent patient after a four-month lapse in therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis. The patient's platelet count dropped rapidly to a level of 1000/mm3 after receiving a single 600 mg dose of rifampin. After returning to a normal level of greater than 100,000/mm3, the patient's platelets again dropped to 1200/mm3 with readministration of rifampin. The long-term therapy necessary to eradicate the Mycobacterium tuberculosis organism makes economic considerations important.
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Rifampin is metabolized in the liver to a deacetylated form which ... has antibacterial activity. Both this metabolite and unchanged drug are excreted primarily in the bile, but up to 30% may be excreted in the urine. The parent drug is substantially reabsorbed in the gut, but the metabolite is not. Reported elimination half-lives for various species are: 6-8 hours (horses), 8 hours (dogs), 3-5 hours (sheep). Because rifampin can induce hepatic microsomal enzymes, elimination rates may increase with time.
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Rifampin