Rifabutin capsules

What is this medication?

RIFABUTIN (RIF a byoo tin) is an antibiotic. It treats or prevents infections caused by bacteria. It will not work for colds, flu, or other viral infections.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Mycobutin

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney disease
• tuberculosis (TB) infection
• wear contact lenses
• an unusual or allergic reaction to rifabutin, rifamycins, other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medicine by mouth with water. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Take all of the medicine unless your health care provider tells you to stop it early. Keep taking it even if you think you are better.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• cabotegravir
• cabotegravir; rilpivirine
• dasabuvir; ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir
• delavirdine
• idelalisib
• lonafarnib
• ombitasvir; paritaprevir; ritonavir
• ranolazine
• voriconazole

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• azithromycin
• certain antivirals for HIV
• certain medicines for fungal infections like fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, or posaconazole
• clarithromycin
• dapsone
• ethambutol
• female hormones, like estrogen or progestins and birth control pills
• isoniazid
• sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Tell your health care provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

Do not treat diarrhea with over the counter products. Contact your health care provider if you have diarrhea that lasts more than 2 days or if it is severe and watery.

This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.

Birth control may not work properly while you are taking this medicine. Talk to your health care provider about using an extra method of birth control.

This medicine can color your teeth, urine, sweat, tears, and mucous. The color may stain your teeth for good. The color in tears may also stain soft contact lenses for good. If you wear contact lenses, ask your health care provider when you can use your lenses again.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• bloody or watery diarrhea
• changes in vision
• fever
• infection (fever, chills, cough, sore throat, pain or trouble passing urine)
• rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
• redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• unusual bruising or bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• change in taste
• dark color to urine, saliva, sweat, or other body fluids
• diarrhea
• headache
• lack or loss of appetite
• muscle cramps, pain
• nausea
• passing gas
• stomach pain
• upset stomach
• vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). Get rid of any unused medicine after the expiration date.

To get rid of medicines that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medicine to a medicine take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medicine, check the label or package insert to see if the medicine should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your health care provider. If it is safe to put it in the trash, take the medicine out of the container. Mix the medicine with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.