Last update May 21, 2025

ريفامبيسين

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Bactericidal antibiotic of the rifamycin group. Used to treat various bacterial infections, but mainly tuberculosis, other mycobacterial infections, leprosy, legionella and penicillin-resistant pneumococci. It is used in the prophylaxis of several severe meningitis. Oral or intravenous administration.

Excreted in breast milk in a clinically insignificant amount (Kawuma 2024, Partosch 2018, Vorherr 1974, Lenzi 1969), much lower than the dose used in the treatment or prophylaxis of infections in neonates and infants. The relative dose in various papers ranges from 0.4% to 3.7%, except in one old and lacking in detail study (Lenzi 1969) where it exceeded 5%.

Rifampicin plasma levels were detected in only one infant out of six whose mother was taking roifampicin. (Kawuma 2024)

No problems attributable to rifampicin have been observed in infants whose mothers were taking rifampicin. (Ozturk 2017, Peters 2008, Keskin 2008, Drobac 2005)

May stain body fluids, including milk, reddish-orange. (Anderson 2018)

Several medical societies and expert authors consider the use of this medication safe during breastfeeding. (Hale, LactMed, Algharably 2023, Briggs 2015, Baquero 2015, Butler 2014, Mitrano 2009, CDC 2003, ATS 2003, Tran 1998, Snider 1984)

American Academy of Pediatrics: medication usually compatible with breastfeeding (AAP 2001). WHO 2002 essential medicines list: compatible with breastfeeding. (WHO 2002)


See below the information of these related products:

  • Maternal Leprosy, lepra (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)
  • Maternal Tuberculosis (TBC) (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for ريفامبيسين since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.
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Other names

ريفامبيسين is Rifampicine in Arabic.

Is written in other languages:

Group

ريفامبيسين belongs to this group or family:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing ريفامبيسين in its composition:

List of 18 tradenames
  • Alfiral™
  • Dotbal™. Contains other elements than ريفامبيسين in its composition
  • Eremfat™
  • Eurifam™
  • Lepromix MB™. Contains other elements than ريفامبيسين in its composition
  • Lepromix PB™. Contains other elements than ريفامبيسين in its composition
  • Rifadin™
  • Rifadine™
  • Rifaldin™
  • Rifalep™
  • Rifater™. Contains other elements than ريفامبيسين in its composition
  • Rimactan™
  • Rimactane™
  • Rimcure™. Contains other elements than ريفامبيسين in its composition
  • Rimstar™. Contains other elements than ريفامبيسين in its composition
  • Rofact™
  • Turifam™
  • Voractiv™. Contains other elements than ريفامبيسين in its composition

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 95 %
Molecular weight 823 daltons
Protein Binding 84 - 91 %
VD 1.6 l/Kg
Tmax 2 - 3 hours
T½ 2 - 5 hours
M/P ratio 0.2 - 0.6 -
Theoretical Dose 0.15 - 0.74 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 0.4 - 7.4 %
Ped.Relat.Dose 0.75 - 7.5 %

References

  1. LactMed. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). Internet. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/ 2006 - Consulted on April 16, 2024 Full text (link to original source)
  2. Hale TW. Medications & Mothers' Milk. 1991- . Springer Publishing Company. Available from https://www.halesmeds.com Consulted on April 10, 2024 Full text (link to original source)
  3. Kawuma AN, Ojara FW, Buzibye A, Castelnuovo B, Tabwenda JC, Kyeyune J, Turyahabwe C, Asiimwe SP, Magoola J, Wiesner L, Nakijoba R, Waitt C. Interim analysis, a tool to enhance efficiency of pharmacokinetic studies: Pharmacokinetics of rifampicin in lactating mother-infant pairs. CPT Pharmacometrics Syst Pharmacol. 2024 Nov;13(11):1915-1923. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  4. Algharably EA, Kreutz R, Gundert-Remy U. Infant Exposure to Antituberculosis Drugs via Breast Milk and Assessment of Potential Adverse Effects in Breastfed Infants: Critical Review of Data. Pharmaceutics. 2023 Apr 13;15(4). pii: 1228. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  5. Partosch F, Mielke H, Stahlmann R, Gundert-Remy U. Exposure of Nursed Infants to Maternal Treatment with Ethambutol and Rifampicin. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2018 Aug;123(2):213-220. Abstract
  6. Anderson PO. Unusual Milk Colors. Breastfeed Med. 2018 Apr;13(3):172-173. Abstract
  7. Ozturk Z, Tatliparmak A. Leprosy treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding: A case report and brief review of literature. Dermatol Ther. 2017 Jan;30(1). Abstract
  8. Baquero-Artigao F, Mellado Peña MJ, del Rosal Rabes T, Noguera Julián A, Goncé Mellgren A, de la Calle Fernández-Miranda M, Navarro Gómez ML; Working Group on gestational, congenital, and postnatal tuberculosis, Spanish Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (PFIC). Guía de la Sociedad Española de Infectología Pediátrica sobre tuberculosis en la embarazada y el recién nacido (ii): profilaxis y tratamiento. [Spanish Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases guidelines on tuberculosis in pregnant women and neonates (ii): Prophylaxis and treatment]. An Pediatr (Barc). 2015 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  9. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Towers CV, Forinash AB. Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk. Wolters Kluwer Health. Tenth edition (acces on line) 2015
  10. Butler DC, Heller MM, Murase JE. Safety of dermatologic medications in pregnancy and lactation: Part II. Lactation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Mar;70(3):417.e1-10; quiz 427. Abstract
  11. Sanofi. Rifampin. Product Monograph. 2010 Full text (in our servers)
  12. Mitrano JA, Spooner LM, Belliveau P. Excretion of antimicrobials used to treat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections during lactation: safety in breastfeeding infants. Pharmacotherapy. 2009 Sep;29(9):1103-9. Abstract
  13. Keskin N, Yilmaz S. Pregnancy and tuberculosis: to assess tuberculosis cases in pregnancy in a developing region retrospectively and two case reports. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2008 Nov;278(5):451-5. Abstract
  14. Peters C, Nienhaus A. [Case report--tuberculosis in a health care worker during pregnancy]. Pneumologie. 2008 Abstract
  15. AEMPS. Rifampicina. Ficha técnica. 2007 Full text (in our servers)
  16. Drobac PC, del Castillo H, Sweetland A, Anca G, Joseph JK, Furin J, Shin S. Treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis during pregnancy: long-term follow-up of 6 children with intrauterine exposure to second-line agents. Clin Infect Dis. 2005 Jun 1;40(11):1689-92. Epub 2005 Apr 18. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  17. ATS. Blumberg HM, Burman WJ, Chaisson RE, Daley CL, Etkind SC, Friedman LN, Fujiwara P, Grzemska M, Hopewell PC, Iseman MD, Jasmer RM, Koppaka V, Menzies RI, O'Brien RJ, Reves RR, Reichman LB, Simone PM, Starke JR, Vernon AA; American Thoracic Society, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Infectious Diseases Society. American Thoracic Society/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Infectious Diseases Society of America: treatment of tuberculosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  18. CDC. (American Thoracic Society); CDC; Infectious Diseases Society of America. Treatment of tuberculosis. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2003 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  19. WHO / UNICEF. BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MEDICATION Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs. Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/UNICEF) 2002 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  20. AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs. Transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics. 2001 Sep;108(3):776-89. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  21. Tran JH, Montakantikul P. The safety of antituberculosis medications during breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 1998 Dec;14(4):337-40. Review. Abstract
  22. [No authors listed] American Thoracic Society. Medical Section of the American Lung Association: Treatment of tuberculosis and tuberculosis infection in adults and children. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1986 Abstract
  23. Snider DE Jr, Powell KE. Should women taking antituberculosis drugs breast-feed? Arch Intern Med. 1984 Abstract
  24. Vorherr H. Drug excretion in breast milk. Postgrad Med. 1974 Oct;56(4):97-104. Review. No abstract available. Abstract
  25. Lenzi E, Santuari S. Preliminary observations on the use of a new semi-synthetic rifamycin derivative in gynecology and obstetrics. Atti Accad Lancisiana Roma;13(Suppl 1):87–94. 1969

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