Instructions

You have been prescribed Rifampicin, an antibiotic treatment, because you have been in close contact with a case of meningitis or septicaemia. It is important that you complete the course of Rifampicin treatment exactly as directed by the chemist.

Side effects

No drug treatment is completely free from side effects. You should be aware of the following:

  1. Rifampicin may cause your urine, sputum and tears to become red in colour. This may result in the permanent staining of soft contact lenses and terry towelling nappies. Soft contact lenses should not be worn during treatment with Rifampicin and the use of disposable nappies is advised.
  2. Rifampicin may interfere with the way in which some other medications work (e.g. blood thinning and anti-epilepsy treatments). If you are taking other medications, you should discuss this matter with your family doctor.
  3. Rifampicin may interfere with the action of the oral contraceptive pill. If you are taking "the pill", you should continue to take it as usual but extra protection should be used as well whilst you are taking the rifampicin, and for a further 4 weeks. If you have any concerns about this matter you should discuss them with your family doctor or with a doctor at a family planning clinic.
  4. You should avoid drinking alcohol whilst you are taking Rifampicin,
  5. Occasionally, a feeling of sickness, abdominal discomfort or diarrhoea may occur because of Rifampicin treatment You should contact your family doctor if you suffer severely from these symptoms.

Please note

You should contact your family doctor immediately if you are concerned that you may be developing the symptoms of meningitis.