What is Priftin (Rifapentine)?

Rifapentine is an antibiotic. It prevents bacteria from multiplying in your body.
Rifapentine is used together with other antibiotics to treat tuberculosis.
Rifapentine must always be used in combination with other antibiotics.
Rifapentine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Priftin (Rifapentine)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to rifapentine, rifabutin (Mycobutin), or rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rimactane, Rifamate).
Before taking rifapentine, tell your doctor if you have porphyria.
Rifapentine should not be used without other antibiotics. Be sure to take all your medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared.
Rifapentine can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking rifapentine.
Do not wear dentures or contact lenses while taking rifapentine. This medicine may discolor certain body fluids (including tears and saliva) with a red, orange, or brown color. While this is a harmless side effect, it may permanently stain a pair of contact lenses.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Priftin (Rifapentine)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to rifapentine, rifabutin (Mycobutin), or rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rimactane, Rifamate).
Before taking rifapentine, tell your doctor if you have porphyria.
Rifapentine should not be used without other antibiotics. Be sure to take all your medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Before using rifapentine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have liver disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take rifapentine. Your doctor will tell you if any of your medication doses need to be changed.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Rifapentine can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormone method of birth control (such as a condom, diaphragm, spermicide) to prevent pregnancy while taking rifapentine.
It is not known whether rifapentine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Rifapentine may cause a red-orange discoloration of breast milk.

Priftin Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Priftin (Rifapentine)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
* blood in your urine
* pale skin, weakness, easy bruising or bleeding; or
* fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
Less serious side effects may include:
* red, orange, or brown discoloration of your skin, tears, sweat, saliva, urine, or stools
* nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite
* stomach pain
* headache
* joint pain; or
* mild skin rash or itching
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Priftin Interactions

What other drugs affect Priftin (Rifapentine)?

Before taking rifapentine, tell your doctor if you are using any of these HIV or AIDS medications:

• abacavir (Ziagen)
• amprenavir (Agenerase)
• delavirdine (Rescriptor)
• didanosine (Videx)
• efavirenz (Sustiva)
• indinavir (Crixivan)
• lamivudine (Combivir, Epivir)
• nelfinavir (Viracept)
• nevirapine (Viramune)
• ritonavir (Norvir)
• saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase)
• stavudine (Zerit)
• zalcitabine (Hivid); or
• zidovudine (Retrovir)

There are many other medicines that can interact with rifapentine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

What should I avoid while taking Priftin (Rifapentine)?

Do not wear dentures or contact lenses while taking rifapentine. This medicine may discolor certain body fluids (including tears and saliva) with a red, orange, or brown color. While this is a harmless side effect, it may permanently stain a pair of contact lenses.
Antibiotic medicines can cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.

Priftin Dosage

How should I take Priftin (Rifapentine)?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
You may take rifapentine with or without food. Take the medication with food if it causes stomach upset, nausea, or vomiting.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood may need to be tested on a regular basis. Your liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Take this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared.
Store rifapentine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed.

What happens if I overdose on Priftin (Rifapentine)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include headache, heartburn, nausea, or urinating more than usual.

What happens if I miss a dose of Priftin (Rifapentine)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com