Rifampicin Sando Capsules 150 mg (リファンピシンカプセル150mg「サンド」) are a Japanese prescription antibacterial medicine produced by Sandoz. Each capsule contains 150 mg of rifampicin, an antibiotic of the rifamycin class that meets the standards of the Japanese Pharmacopoeia. The pack contains 100 capsules in PTP blister sheets (10 capsules × 10 sheets).
Rifampicin is one of the cornerstone medicines of modern tuberculosis therapy. It is used strictly under medical supervision, almost always in combination with other antibacterial medicines, and treatment is planned and monitored by the treating physician.
Each capsule contains:
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Manufacturer: Sandoz. Country of origin: Japan.
Rifampicin belongs to the rifamycin class of antibacterial agents. It is a semisynthetic antibiotic that is active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and a number of other bacteria. In Japan, rifampicin capsules are a standard prescription medicine used in treatment protocols drawn up by a physician.
A key principle of rifampicin therapy: it is never used as a single medicine for active tuberculosis. Combination therapy with several antibacterial drugs is required to achieve the treatment goal and to prevent the development of bacterial resistance.
Rifampicin is a first-line medicine used in combination regimens for the treatment of pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, together with other anti-tuberculosis medicines as prescribed (for example isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol, according to the physician's protocol).
In latent tuberculosis infection, rifampicin may be prescribed by a physician, alone in specific regimens or in combination, depending on the patient's condition and medical guidelines.
Rifampicin is also used in physician-supervised combination regimens for certain other infections caused by rifampicin-susceptible organisms, such as leprosy and some serious staphylococcal infections. The decision is always made by the treating doctor.
Rifampicin inhibits bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, blocking the synthesis of RNA in susceptible bacteria. This leads to the death of sensitive organisms. Because resistance can develop quickly when rifampicin is used alone, it is always combined with other antibacterial medicines in the regimens mentioned above.
Rifampicin is a strong inducer of liver enzymes and can reduce the effect of many medicines. Tell your doctor about every medicine you take. Important known interactions include:
This list is not complete. Only the treating physician can assess interactions for your specific situation.
Rifampicin may colour urine, tears, sweat and other body fluids orange-red; this effect is harmless and expected. Other possible effects include:
Contact your doctor promptly if you notice severe skin reactions, persistent nausea with vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), dark urine, fever or other unusual symptoms.
FAQ
Rifampicin is used in physician-prescribed treatment regimens for tuberculosis and for certain other infections caused by susceptible bacteria, always as determined by the treating doctor.
Combination therapy is required for tuberculosis treatment: it increases the effectiveness of the course and prevents the bacteria from developing resistance to the medicine.
Rifampicin colours urine, tears and sweat orange-red. This is a known, harmless effect of the medicine and is not a reason to stop treatment.
Capsules are usually taken on an empty stomach, because food significantly reduces the absorption of rifampicin. Follow the schedule given by your physician.
Yes, rifampicin can reduce the reliability of oral contraceptives. Ask your doctor about additional contraception methods during the course.
The duration depends on the disease and the protocol prescribed by the physician. Tuberculosis courses usually last several months and must not be interrupted without medical supervision.
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