Rifater
Overview
- About Rifater
Why should Rifater not be prescribed?
Return to topDo not take this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to or are sensitive to rifampin, isoniazid, or pyrazinamide. If you have serious liver disease or have ever had a severe side effect from isoniazid (such as fever, chills, and arthritis), do not take Rifater. Also, if you have a history of liver disease or have had acute and painful joint swelling (gout), avoid this drug.
Special warnings about Rifater
Return to topRifater may cause your urine, sputum, sweat, and tears to turn a red-orange color. This is to be expected and is not harmful. The drug may also permanently discolor contact lenses.
Since Rifater may cause eye problems, you should have a complete eye examination before starting therapy and periodically during Rifater treatment.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink while on this medicine. Daily users of alcohol may be more prone to liver problems.
Use this medicine with caution if you have diabetes or kidney disease.
When rifampin, one of the drugs in Rifater, is taken at high doses (more than 600 milligrams) once or twice a week, it is likely that side effects may increase, including "flu-like" symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, weakness, upset stomach, and shortness of breath.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking Rifater
Return to topIf Rifater is taken with certain other drugs, the effects could be increased, decreased, or altered. Consider another form of birth control if you are taking oral contraceptives, since Rifater lowers their effectiveness. Also check with your doctor before combining Rifater with the following:
- Antacids
- Anticonvulsants
- Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
- Blood pressure medicines
- Blood thinners such as warfarin
- Chloramphenicol
- Ciprofloxacin
- Clofibrate
- Cotrimoxazole
- Cycloserine
- Cyclosporine
- Dapsone
- Diabetes medications
- Disulfiram
- Fluconazole
- Haloperidol
- Heart medications
- Itraconazole
- Ketoconazole
- Levodopa
- Narcotic painkillers such as oxycodone
- Nortriptyline
- Probenecid
- Progestins such as megestrol
- Steroid drugs prednisone
- Sulfasalazine
- Theophylline
- Tranquilizers such as alprazolam
- If you weigh 97 pounds or less: 4 tablets
- If you weigh 98 to 120 pounds: 5 tablets
- If you weigh 121 pounds or more: 6 tablets
-
Symptoms of Rifater overdose may include:
Blurred vision, coma, dizziness, hallucinations, increasing tiredness or sluggishness, liver enlargement or tenderness, nausea, seizures, slurring of speech, shallow or difficult breathing, stupor, vomiting, yellow eyes and skin
Foods such as cheese, fish, and red wine may cause reactions if you are taking a medicine containing isoniazid. Call your doctor immediately if fast or fluttery heartbeat, flushing, sweating, headache, or light-headedness occurs while you are taking this medication.
Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Return to topIf you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor immediately. You may need to discontinue the drug. If needed for preventive treatment, Rifater should be started after delivery. An ingredient in Rifater may cause postnatal hemorrhaging in the mother and baby when given during the last few weeks of pregnancy.
Rifater can pass into breast milk and may affect the nursing infant. Your doctor may recommend that you stop breastfeeding until your treatment with Rifater is finished.
Recommended dosage for Rifater
Return to topADULTS
Take once a day, as follows:
CHILDREN
Safety and effectiveness in children under the age of 15 have not been established.
Overdosage
Return to topAny medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. An untreated overdose of Rifater can be fatal. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
