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Rifadin vs. Mycobutin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Rifampin (Rifadin) and Rifabutin (Mycobutin) are both rifamycin antibiotics, but they are used for different purposes. Rifampin (Rifadin) is primarily used to treat active and latent tuberculosis (TB) and to prevent the spread of meningococcal infections in carriers. It can be taken orally or intravenously and is often combined with other TB medications. Rifabutin (Mycobutin), on the other hand, is used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections in people with advanced HIV. It is taken orally, usually once daily. Rifampin (Rifadin) can cause liver injury and interacts with many medications, while Rifabutin (Mycobutin) has fewer severe interactions with HIV medications but can still interact with many drugs. Both medications can change the color of your body fluids and teeth, and both are available as a lower-cost generic.

Rifampin

(Rifadin)

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Rifabutin

(Mycobutin)

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Summary for Rifadin

Prescription only

Rifampin (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 for Rifadin

  • Tuberculosis (TB)
  • Meningococcal carriers (when there's bacteria living in the nose and/or throat, but not causing infection)

Pros and Cons for Rifadin

Pros

  • 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 generic

Cons

  • 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 infections

Common Side Effects for Rifadin

  • Temporary change in color (orange/yellow) of body fluids and teeth

Warnings for Rifadin

  • 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 levels

Summary for Mycobutin

Prescription only

Rifabutin (Mycobutin) is used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection in people with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It's available as a capsule that's taken by mouth, typically once daily. The most common side effect of rifabutin (Mycobutin) include temporarily change the color of your teeth, body fluids, and even urine.

Indications for Mycobutin

  • Prevention of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in people with severe HIV infection

Pros and Cons for Mycobutin

Pros

  • Helps prevent MAC, a very serious infection, if you have severe HIV
  • Is an option for people who can't take azithromycin or clarithromycin to prevent MAC
  • Can take with or without food

Cons

  • Isn't a first-choice medication for prevention of MAC in people with HIV
  • Interacts with many medications, including some HIV medications
  • Can change the color of your skin and body fluids, and stain your contact lenses

Common Side Effects for Mycobutin

Warnings for Mycobutin

  • Not for treatment of tuberculosis (TB)
  • Interactions with other medications
  • Serious allergic and skin reactions
  • Eye inflammation
  • Infectious diarrhea
  • Low blood cell counts

Prices with our coupons for Rifadin vs. Mycobutin

Price Card Drug Icon
Rifampin60 capsules / 300mg
$38.99$112.70
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Rifabutin28 capsules / 150mg
$114.81$249.19
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