Drug Notes

Rifabutin (By mouth)

Rifabutin (rif-a-BUE-tin)

Helps prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in patients with HIV.

Brand Name(s):

Mycobutin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• You may take the medicine with or without food. If the medicine upsets your stomach, you may want to take it with food.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• There are many other drugs that can interact with rifabutin. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are using, especially blood thinners (such as warfarin), medicine to treat an infection, or medicine to treat HIV.
• This medicine may make birth control pills or patches less effective. Ask your doctor if you should change birth control or use 2 methods together.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or eye or vision problems.
• This medicine may cause your skin, tears, saliva, sweat, urine, or bowel movements to turn a brownish-orange color. Your contact lenses could become permanently discolored.
• This medicine can cause diarrhea. Call your doctor if the diarrhea becomes severe, does not stop, or is bloody. Do not take any medicine to stop diarrhea until you have talked to your doctor. Diarrhea can occur 2 months or more after you stop taking this medicine.
• This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.
• This medicine should not be given to patients with active tuberculosis (TB). If you think you may have active TB, tell your doctor.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blurred vision or loss of vision, eye redness, pain, or sensitivity to light
• Diarrhea that may contain blood
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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

Last Updated: 1/27/2017