Rifabutin

Rifabutin prevents Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in people with HIV infection. It is normal for sweat, urine, saliva, tears, skin, and stools to turn brown-orange.

Rifabutin Overview

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Rifabutin is a prescription medication used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in people with HIV infection. Rifabutin belongs to a group of drugs called antibiotics. These work by preventing or slowing the growth of certain bacteria.

This medication comes in a capsule form (by mouth) and is usually taken one to 2 times a day with food if it causes stomach upset.

Common side effects of rifabutin include brown-orange urine, rash, and stomach upset.

How was your experience with Rifabutin?

First, a little about yourself

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

What tips would you provide a friend before taking Rifabutin?

What are you taking Rifabutin for?

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  • Other
  • Mycobacterium Avium-intracellulare Infection
  • Mycobacterium Infections
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

How long have you been taking it?

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  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Rifabutin work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Rifabutin to a friend?

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Rifabutin Cautionary Labels

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Uses of Rifabutin

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Rifabutin is a prescription medication used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in people with HIV infection. The MAC infection can occur in the lungs, intestines, bone marrow, liver, and spleen.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses.  Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Rifabutin Brand Names

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Rifabutin may be found in some form under the following brand names:

Rifabutin Drug Class

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Rifabutin is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Rifabutin

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Serious side effects have been reported with rifabutin. See the "Drug Precautions" section.

Common side effects of rifabutin include the following:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • insomnia (trouble sleeping)
  • Rash
  • chest pain
  • fever
  • headache
  • upset stomach
  • brown-orange sweat, urine, saliva, tears, skin, and stool
  • change in the way things taste
  • muscle pain
  • neutropenia (low number of white blood cells)
  • anemia (blood does not carry enough oxygen to the rest of your body)

This is not a complete list of rifabutin side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.