Compare Isoniazid vs. Rifadin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.
Key takeaways
Isoniazid (generic) and Rifampin (Rifadin) are both antibiotics used to treat tuberculosis (TB), but they have some key differences. Isoniazid is a first-choice medication for both treating and preventing TB and works by stopping the bacteria from making their protective covering. It can be taken alone for TB prevention but must be combined with other antibiotics for active TB treatment. Rifampin, on the other hand, is also used to treat TB and can prevent the spread of meningococcal infections in carriers. It works by blocking an enzyme the bacteria need to grow. Rifampin can be taken alone for treatment of latent TB but must be combined with other antibiotics for active TB treatment. Rifampin is typically taken once daily and can change the color of your body fluids, like urine and sweat, to a red-orange hue. Both medications can cause liver injury, so you should avoid alcohol while taking them. Isoniazid may require you to take vitamin B6 supplements to prevent nerve problems, while Rifampin can interact with many medications and lower their effectiveness. Both medications are available in both oral and injectable forms.
- IsoniazidRifampin (Rifadin)
- IsoniazidRifampin (Rifadin)
Summary of Isoniazid vs. Rifadin
Summary for Antimycobacterial agentPrescription onlyIsoniazid is an antimycobacterial agent for treating and preventing tuberculosis (TB) in children and adults. It's available as a generic oral tablet and solution, usually taken daily or a few times a week, depending on your dose. For treating active TB, you'll likely need to take it along with other TB medications (like rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol) to prevent antibiotic resistance. Serious side effects include severe liver injury. It's also known to interact with many foods and medications.
Summary for Rifamycin antibioticPrescription onlyRifampin (Rifadin) is an antibiotic used to treat active and latent tuberculosis (TB). It also helps prevent the spread of meningococcal infections by people who carriers of the bacteria, but aren't showing symptoms. Rifampin (Rifadin) is taken by mouth once or twice daily, depending on your medical conditions. If you're taking it for TB, your provider might prescribe other medications as well, like isoniazid. One side effect of rifampin (Rifadin) is that it can temporarily change the color of your teeth, body fluids, and even urine as a side effect.
Indications of Isoniazid vs. Rifadin
Indications for•Tuberculosis (TB) infection•Prevention of TB if you're at high risk for infectionIndications for•Tuberculosis (TB)•Meningococcal carriers (when there's bacteria living in the nose and/or throat, but not causing infection)Pros and Cons of Isoniazid vs. Rifadin
Pros and Const for Antimycobacterial agentPros•Is one of the main medications used to treat TB•Can be taken by itself for prevention of TB (along with a pyridoxine supplement)•Available as an oral tablet and oral solution•Available as a lower-cost genericCons•Can cause serious liver damage•Likely will need to take it for many months•You might need to take each dose in front of a healthcare professional•Interacts with many foods and medicationsPros and Const for Rifamycin antibioticPros•One of the first-choice antibiotics for treating TB•Taken once daily for TB treatment•For people who carry the meningococcal bacteria, taking rifampin (Rifadin) for just 2 days helps prevent the spread of infection•Can be made into an oral suspension if you or your child has a hard time swallowing capsules•Available in an injectable form if you're in the hospital and can't take medications by mouth•Available as a lower-cost genericCons•Must be used in combination with other anti-TB antibiotics when treating active TB•Can change the color of your teeth and body fluids and stain your contact lenses•Skipping doses can quickly cause drug resistance, making it much harder to treat the infection.•Can cause liver injury, so it's recommended to avoid alcohol•Interacts with many medications, and can lower the medication levels in the body•Not recommended for the treatment of serious meningococcal infectionsCommon Side Effects of Isoniazid vs. Rifadin
Common Side Effects for•Tingling or numbness in your hands and feet•Rise in liver enzymesCommon Side Effects for•Temporary change in color (orange/yellow) of body fluids and teethWarnings of Isoniazid vs. Rifadin
Common Side Effects for•Liver injury (hepatitis)•InteractionsCommon Side Effects for•Liver injury•Not for treating meningococcal infection•Allergic reactions•Higher risk for bleeding•Caution in diabetes•More side effects if not taken once a day•Effects on hormones and vitamin D levelsPrices with our coupons for Isoniazid vs. Rifadin
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