Summary
Commonly reported side effects of rifabutin include: neutropenia and urine discoloration. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to rifabutin: oral capsule.
Serious side effects of Rifabutin
Along with its needed effects, rifabutin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rifabutin:
Less common
- Black, tarry stools
- chest pain
- chills
- cough
- diarrhea
- fever
- heartburn
- indigestion
- itching or skin rash
- loss of appetite
- loss of strength or energy
- muscle pain
- painful or difficult urination
- sore throat
- ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
- Bruising or purple spots on the skin
- change in taste
- eye pain
- joint pain
- loss of vision
- lower back or side pain
- muscle swelling or pain
- pale skin
- yellow skin
Incidence not known
- Burning, dry, or itching eyes
- discharge, excessive tearing
- hoarseness
- redness, pain, swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
- stomach cramps, pain, or tenderness
- watery and severe diarrhea, which may also be bloody
Other side effects of Rifabutin
Some side effects of rifabutin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste in the mouth
- belching
- bloated or full feeling
- discoloration of the urine
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- headache
- nausea
- passing gas
- trouble sleeping
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to rifabutin: oral capsule.
General
The most commonly reported side effects included discolored urine, neutropenia, leukopenia, and jaundice.[Ref]
Genitourinary
Very common (10% or more): Discolored urine (up to 30%)[Ref]
Hematologic
The frequency and severity of hematological side effects may be increased with concomitant isoniazid use.[Ref]
Very common (10% or more): Neutropenia (up to 25%), leukopenia (up to 17%)
Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia, lymphopenia, neutrophil count decreased, pancytopenia, platelet count decreased, white blood cell count decreased
Frequency not reported: hemolysis, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, white blood cell disorder[Ref]
Hepatic
Very common (10% or more): Jaundice (up to 12%)
Common (1% to 10%): Increased alkaline phosphatase, increased ALT, increased AST
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatic enzymes increased
Frequency not reported: Hepatitis[Ref]
Dermatologic
Very common (10% or more): Rash (up to 11%)
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Skin discoloration
Postmarketing reports: Urticaria[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, diarrhea, dyspepsia, eructation, flatulence, gastrointestinal intolerance, nausea, nausea and vomiting, vomiting
Frequency not reported: Clostridium difficile colitis
Postmarketing reports: C difficile-associated diarrhea[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, fever, pain, pyrexia[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Headache, taste perversion
Frequency not reported: aphasia, paresthesia, seizure[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Generalized arthralgia occurred in patients given 1050 to 2400 mg/day; symptoms abated when treatment was discontinued.[Ref]
Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia
Frequency not reported: Myositis[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain
Frequency not reported: Chest pressure, nonspecific T wave changes (on ECG), shock
Postmarketing reports: Hypotension[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
Frequency not reported: Confusion[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity, other hypersensitivity reactions
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic shock
Postmarketing reports: Angioedema[Ref]
Ocular
Uveitis occurred in patients given 1050 to 2400 mg/day; symptoms abated when treatment was discontinued.
Uveitis was rare when this drug was used as a single agent at 300 mg/day, or in combination with fluconazole and/or macrolides (e.g., clarithromycin). However, the incidence of uveitis was greater if higher doses of this drug were used with these agents. Patients who developed uveitis had mild to severe symptoms that resolved following therapy with corticosteroids and/or mydriatic eye drops; however, in some severe cases, resolution of symptoms occurred after several weeks.[Ref]
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Corneal deposits, uveitis
Postmarketing reports: Conjunctivitis[Ref]
Respiratory
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchospasm
Frequency not reported: Dyspnea[Ref]
Immunologic
Frequency not reported: Flu-like syndrome[Ref]
