Rifampicin

Rifampicin (INN) or rifampin (USAN) is a bacteriocidal antibiotic drug of the rifamycin group. It is currently marketed by Aventis under the trade names Rifadin®, Rifater® and Rimactane®.

It is typically used to treat mycobacterium infections, including tuberculosis and leprosy; and also has a role in the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in combination with fusidic acid. It is also used in prophylactic therapy against Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal) infection.

Rifampicin inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in bacterial cells by binding its beta subunit, thus preventing transcription of messenger RNA (mRNA) and subsequent translation to proteins.

Adverse effects are chiefly related to the drug's hepatotoxicity, and patients receiving rifampicin often undergo liver function tests including aspartate aminotransferase (AST).