RIFADIN 300 MG CAPSULES - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. What Rifadin 300mg Capsules are and what they are used for

Rifadin 300mg Capsules contain a medicine called rifampicin. It belongs to a group of medicines called anti-bacterials. It works by killing the bacteria that cause infections.

Rifadin 300mg Capsules are used to treat the following bacterial infections:

• Tuberculosis (also known as TB) alongside other medicines
• Leprosy alongside other medicines
• Brucellosis alongside other medicines
• Legionnaires Diseases alongside other medicines
• Haemophilus Influenzae
• Other serious bacterial infections

Rifadin 300mg Capsules can also be used to stop the following infections from developing;

• Meningitis
• Haemophilus Influenzae in children aged 4 years or younger

2. what you need to know before you take rifadin 300mg capsules

Do not take Rifadin 300mg Capsules if:

• You are allergic (hypersensitive) to
• rifampicin
• any of the other ingredients of the Rifadin 300mg Capsules (see Section 6: Further information) Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue
• You have yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• You are taking saquinavir or ritonavir for an HIV infection (see ‘Taking other medicines’ section below)

Do not take if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Rifadin 300mg Capsules.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Rifadin 300mg Capsules if:

• You have liver problems
• You have any kidney problems and if you are having more than 600mg rifampicin per day
• You have diabetes. Your diabetes may become more difficult to control while taking this medicine
• You feel numb or weak in your arms and legs (peripheral neuropathy)
• You are under weight or malnourished
• You have a rare blood problem called ‘porphyria’
• You have a problem with bleeding or a tendency to bruise easily
• Your symptoms of tuberculosis return or get worse (see section 4: Possible side effects)
• You wear contact lenses. Taking Rifadin 300mg Capsules may permanently stain soft contact lenses
• The person taking this medicine is a child
• You are aged 65 years or older

If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Rifadin 300mg Capsules.

Blood Tests

Your doctor will need to check your blood before you take this medicine. This will help your doctor know if any changes happen to your blood after taking this medicine. You may also need to have regular blood tests to check how your liver is working.

Take special care with Rifadin 300mg Capsules

Serious skin reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) have been reported with the use of Rifadin 300mg Capsules.

• SJS/TEN can appear initially as reddish target spots or circular patches often with central blisters on the trunk. Also ulcers of mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes (red and swollen eyes) can occur. These serious skin rashes are often preceded by fever and/or flu-like symptoms. The rashes may progress to widespread peeling of the skin and life-threatening complications or be fatal.
• DRESS appears initially as flu-like symptoms and a rash on the face then an extended rash with a high body temperature, increased levels of liver enzymes seen in blood tests and an increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophilia) and enlarged lymph nodes.
• AGEP appears at the initiation of treatment as a red, scaly widespread rash with bumps under the skin and blisters accompanied by fever. The most common location: mainly localized on the skin folds, trunk, and upper extremities.

The highest risk for occurrence of serious skin reactions is within 2 days to 2 months after treatment initiation depending on the condition. If you develop a serious rash or another of these skin symptoms, stop taking Rifadin 300mg Capsules and contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately.

Other medicines and Rifadin 300mg Capsules

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines you buy without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because Rifadin 300mg Capsules can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way Rifadin 300mg Capsules work.

In particular, do not take this medicine, and tell your doctor, if you are taking:

• Saquinavir or ritonavir used for HIV infection
• Antacids used for indigestion. Take Rifadin 300mg Capsules at least 1 hour before taking antacids
• Other medicines used for TB such as P-aminosalicyclic acid (PAS). PAS and Rifadin 300mg Capsules should be taken at least 8 hours apart Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
• Medicines for high blood pressure
• Medicines for heart problems or to control your heartbeat
• Medicines used to thin the blood such as warfarin and clopidogrel
• Medicines used to lower cholesterol
• Water tablets (diuretics) such as eplerenone

Mental health, epilepsy and motor neurone medicines

• Medicines for thought disorders known as ‘antipsychotics’ such as haloperidol
• Medicines to calm or reduce anxiety (hypnotics, anxiolytics)
• Medicines to help you sleep (barbiturates)
• Medicines used for epilepsy such as phenytoin
• Some medicines used for depression such as amitriptyline and nortriptyline
• Riluzole – used for motor neurone disease

Medicines for infections and the immune system

• Some medicines used for viral infections such as indinavir, efavirenz, amprenavir, nelfinavir, atazanavir, lopinavir, neviparine, daclatasvir, simeprevir, sofosbuvir and telaprevir
• Medicines used for fungal infections
• Medicines used for bacterial infections (antibiotics)
• Medicines used for lowering your immune system such as ciclosporin, sirolimus and tacrolimus
• Praziquantel – used for tapeworm infections
• Atovaquone – used for pneumonia
• Some hormone medicines (estrogen, systemic hormones, progestogens) used for contraception or some types of cancer such as ethinyloestradiol, levonorgestrel or dydrogesterone
• Some hormone medicines (anti-estrogens) used for breast cancer or endometriosis such as tamoxifen, toremifene and gestrinone
• Some medicines used for cancer (cytotoxics) such as imatinib
• Levothyroxine (thyroid hormone) used for thyroid problems
• Irinotecan – used for cancer
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as etoricoxib, aspirin and
• indometacin
• Medicines used for pain such as codeine, morphine, fentanyl or pethidine
• Corticosteroids used for inflammation such as hydrocortisone, betamethasone and prednisolone
• Methadone – used for heroin withdrawal
• Medicines used for diabetes
• Medicines used to relax muscles before surgery (anaesthetics) such as halothane
• Some medicines used for feeling sick or being sick such as ondansetron and aprepitant
• Other antibiotic medicines such as cefazolin
• Quinine – used for malaria
• Theophylline – used for wheezing or difficulty in breathing

Taking Rifadin 300mg Capsules with food and drink

Take Rifadin 300mg Capsules on an empty stomach. This means at least 30 minutes before food or 2 hours after food.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, plan to get pregnant or think you are pregnant.

Rifadin 300mg Capsules may make the contraceptive “pill” work less well. This means you should change to a different type of contraception. Instead, you must use a reliable barrier method of contraception such as condoms or the “coil” while taking Rifadin 300mg Capsules. If you have any questions or are unsure about this talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

You should not breast-feed if you are taking Rifadin 300mg Capsules. This is because small amounts may pass into the mothers’ milk. If you are breastfeeding or planning to breast-feed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

Driving and using machines

You may feel dizzy or faint, have problems with vision or have other side effects that could affect your ability to drive while taking this medicine. If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines.

3. how to take rifadin 300mg capsules

Always take Rifadin 300mg Capsules exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Rifadin is also available as syrup for children.

Keep taking this medicine

• You must take the capsules each day for the whole time the doctor has told you to take them
• Do not stop and start taking the capsules. This may increase the risk of side effects and your infection will not be treated properly

How to take the capsules

• Take this medicine by mouth
• Swallow the capsules whole, with a drink of water
• Take at least 30 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a meal.
• If you feel the effect of your medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose yourself, but ask your doctor

How much to take

How much you will be given will depend your age and on the type of illness

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Rifadin should be given with at least one other medicine for TB
• The usual dose is:
• Patients weighing less than 50kg: A single daily dose of 450mg
• Patients weighing more than 50kg: A single daily dose of 600mg
• Children: 10mg to 20mg per kilogram of body weight each day. The maximum dose is 600mg each day

Leprosy

• Rifadin should always be given with at least one other medicine for leprosy
• Your doctor may prescribe a monthly or daily dose. The usual dose is:
• Patients weighing less than 50kg: A single daily dose of 450mg
• Patients weighing more than 50kg: A single daily dose of 600mg

Brucellosis, Legionnaires Disease or other serious bacterial infections

• Rifadin should be used together with another antibiotic
• The amount you are given will depend on how severe your infection is:
• Adults: 600mg to 1200mg each day. The dose is given in 2 to 4 divided doses
• The usual dose is:
• Adults: 600mg twice each day for two days
• Children (1 –12 years): 10mg per kilogram of bodyweight, twice each day for two days
• Children (3 months – 1 year): 5mg per kilogram twice each day for two days

Stopping the development of Haemophilus Influenzae:

• Everybody in the same house needs to be treated under the doctors direction
• The usual dose is:
• Adults and Children: 20mg per kilogram body weight each day for four days. No more than 600mg should be given.
• Neonates (1 month): 10mg/kg each day for 4 days

Elderly patients

Your doctor may need to monitor you more closely.

People with Liver problems

You should not be given any more than 8mg per kilogram of body weight each day.

If you take more Rifadin 300mg Capsules than you should

If you take more Rifadin 300mg Capsules than you should, tell a doctor or go to a hospital casualty department straight away. Take the medicine pack with you. This is so the doctor knows what you have taken.

You may feel sick (nausea), be sick (vomiting), have stomach pain, itching or a headache.

You may also feel tired, sleepy, dizzy or light-headed. Other signs of taking too much includes swelling of the face, eyes or eyelids, slurring of speech, difficulty breathing, fast heartbeat, uneven heartbeats, fits and heart attack.

If you forget to take Rifadin 300mg Capsules

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. However, if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten capsules.

If you stop taking Rifadin 300mg Capsules

Keep taking Rifadin 300mg Capsules until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop taking Rifadin 300mg Capsules just because you feel better. If you stop, your infection may get worse.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Tests

Taking Rifadin 300mg Capsules may affect the results of some blood tests. In particular, tests for folate, vitamin B12 and liver function. If you are going to have a blood test, it is important to tell your doctor that you are taking Rifadin 300mg Capsules.

4. possible side effects

Like all medicines, Rifadin 300mg Capsules can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking and go to a hospital straight away if you notice any of the following serious side effects:

• You have an allergic reaction. The signs may include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, wheezing, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue
• You have a fever and yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, feel tired, weak or generally unwell, loss of appetite (anorexia), feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting).

These may be early signs of liver problems

• Serious skin rashes including Steven-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis.

These can appear as reddish target-like macules or circular patches often with central blisters on the trunk, skin peeling, ulcers of mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes and can be preceded by fever and flu-like symptoms. See also section 2.

• Widespread rash, high body temperature, liver enzyme elevations, blood abnormalities (eosinophilia), enlarged lymph nodes and other body organs involvement (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms which is also known as DRESS or drug hypersensitivity syndrome). See also section 2.
• A red, scaly widespread rash with bumps under the skin and blisters accompanied by fever at the initiation of treatment (acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis). See also section 2.
• You bruise more easily than usual. Or you may have a painful rash of dark red spots under the skin which do not go away when you press on them (purpura). This could be because of a serious blood problem
• You have severe bleeding (haemorrhage)
• Paradoxical drug reaction: Symptoms of tuberculosis can return, or new symptoms can occur after initial improvement during treatment. Paradoxical reactions have been reported as early as 2 weeks and as late as 18 months after beginning anti-tuberculosis treatment. Paradoxical reactions are typically associated with fever, swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenitis), breathlessness, and cough. Patients with paradoxical drug reaction can also experience headaches, loss of appetite, and weight loss
• You have chills, tiredness, unusually pale skin colour, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat or dark coloured urine. This could be signs of a serious type of anaemia
• You have blood in your urine or an increase or decrease in amount of urine you produce.

You may also get swelling, especially of the legs, ankles or feet. This may be caused by serious kidney problems

• You have a sudden severe headache. This could be a sign of bleeding in the brain
• Shortness of breath and wheezing
• You get confused, sleepy, cold clammy skin, shallow or difficult breathing, a racing heartbeat or your skin is paler than normal. These could be signs of shock
• You get more infections more easily than normal. Signs include fever, sore throat or mouth ulcers. This could be because you have a low number of white blood cells
• You have bleeding from your nose, ear, gums, throat, skin or stomach. Signs may include a feeling of tenderness and swelling in your stomach, purple spots on your skin and black or tar-like stools

• 4. Possible side e
  
  Talk to your doctor straight away if you notice any of the following serious side effects:

• Mental problems with unusual thoughts and strange visions (hallucinations)
• Severe watery diarrhoea that will not stop and you are feeling weak and have a fever. This may be something called ‘Pseudomembranous colitis’
• Flu-like symptoms including chills, fever, headache, dizziness and bone pains
• Water retention (oedema) which may cause swollen face, stomach, arms or legs
• Muscle weakness or pain or loss of muscle reflexes
• Dizziness, feel lightheaded and faint especially when you stand or sit up quickly (due to low blood pressure)
• Swollen fingers, toes or ankles
• Being unable to concentrate, feeling nervous, irritable or depressed
• Feeling very tired and weak or difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Short-term memory loss, anxiety, being less alert or responsive
• Wasting of muscles or other body tissues
• Weight loss, night sweats and fever. These could be signs of a blood condition called eosinophilia
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Skin flushing or itching
• Irregular periods
• Diarrhoea or stomach discomfort
• Loss of appetite (anorexia)
• Headache
• You notice a discoloration (yellow, brown, orange or red colour) in your teeth, urine, sweat, phlegm (sputum), saliva or tears. This is quite common and you need not worry. However, the colour may permanently stain soft contact lenses. The colour in tears may last for some time after you have stopped having Rifadin 300mg Capsules.
• A blood test may show changes in the way the liver is working

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. how to store rifadin 300mg capsules

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

• Do not use Rifadin 300mg Capsules after the expiry date which is stated on the label and carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Do not store above 25°C. Keep the blister in the outer carton.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.

If your capsules show signs of deterioration or discolouration seek the advice of your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.

6. contents of the pack and other information

What Rifadin 300mg Capsules contains

• Each capsule contains 300mg of rifampicin.
• Also contains corn starch, magnesium stearate, gelatin, erythrosine (E127), indigotine (E132) and titanium dioxide (E171).

What Rifadin 300mg Capsules looks like and contents of the pack

Hard, red, gelatin capsules marked R-300 on both the cap and body.

Available in blister packs of 104 capsules.

Manufactured by Sanofi S.P.A. Localita Valcanello, 03012 Anagni (FR), Italy. Procured from within the EU and repackaged on behalf of Product Licence Holder Ennogen Healthcare Ltd, Unit G4 Riverside Industrial Estate, Riverside Way, Dartford, Kent, DA1 5BS.

PLGB 40739/0205 |POM|

Leaflet date: 12 January 2022 Ref: Rif300/UT2

This leaflet does not contain all the information required about your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Rifadin is a registered trademark of Gruppo Lepetit S.r.l.

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