Rifater

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Itching (pruritus)
- Diarrhoea
- Allergy to active ingredients (hypersensitivity)
- Red colouration of urine
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Seizures (convulsions)
- Alteration in results of liver function tests
- Loss of contact with reality (psychosis)
- Excessive breakdown of red blood cells that reduces red blood cell count (haemolytic anaemia)
- Cold or flu-like symptoms
- Rash (allergic reaction)
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
- "Pins and needles" sensation in hands and feet (peripheral neuritis)
- Pain in the joints (arthralgia)
- Loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden severe deficiency in the number of white blood cells in the blood (agranulocytosis)
- Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia)
- Inflammation of the optic nerve (the nerve connecting the eye to the brain) which results in blurring of vision (optic neuritis)
- Kidney failure

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

Rifampicin, isoniazid and pyraminazide reduce the effects of the following medicines (interacting medicine in brackets): -Methadone (rifampicin) -Anti-arrhythmics disopyramide, mexiletine, propafenone and quinidine (rifampicin) -Anti-bacterials chlorampheicol and dapsone (rifampicin) -Blood thinning drugs nicoumalone and warfarin (rifampicin) -Antidiabetic medicines chlorpropamide, tolbutamide and possibly other sulphonylurea antidiabetic drugs, and repaglinide (rifampicin) -Anti-epileptic phenytoin (rifampicin) -Anti-fungals fluconazole, itraconazole,terbinafine (rifampicin)and ketoconazole (both) -Anti-virals indinavir, efavirez, nelfinavir and saquinavir (rifampicin) -Atovaquone (rifampicin) -Calcium channel blockers diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil and possibly isradipine, nicardipine and nisoldipine (rifampicin) -Corticosteroids (rifampicin) -Cyclosporin (rifampicin) -Oral contraceptives (rifampicin) -Tacrolimus (rifampicin) -Cimetidine (rifampicin) -Probenecid and sulfinpyrazone (pyrazinamide) Isoniazid increases the effects of the following medications: -Carbamazepine -Ethosuxamide -Phenytoin The following medications reduce the effectiveness of rifampicin: -Ketoconazole Rifampicin may cause transplant rejection when given with azathioprine. Increased risk of liver damage if taken with carbamazepine (isoniazid). Increased risk of toxicity if taken with cycloserine (isoniazid). Increased level of theophylline in the blood may occur (isoniazid). Increased risk of liver damage if used with the anaesthetic isoflurane (isoniazid).

<<Go To Page 1

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved