Rifabutin is used in the treatment of tuberculosis with HIV infection.
How Rifabutin works
Rifabutin works by inhibiting an enzyme DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria, leading to a suppression of RNA synthesis that is required for survival and this leads to cell death of such bacteria. This helps treat Mycobacterium avium complex disease (tuberculosis) in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
Common side effects of Rifabutin
Nausea, Rash, Anemia (low number of red blood cells), Muscle pain
Taking rifabutin may change the color of your urine to red/orange. You may also experience coloring of the skin and other body fluids and also of soft contact lenses.
You may be regularly monitored with blood tests and chest x-rays to check that you do not have active tuberculosis or any other mycobacterial disease.
You may also undergo regular eye examination while using rifabutin.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, pain in the chest, swelling of eyelids, face or lips, rash or itching.
Use non hormonal birth control techniques (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy, as rifabutin can make birth control pills less effective.
Reviewed By Dr. Rajeev Sharma