provider image
Welcome! You’re in GoodRx for healthcare professionals. Now, you’ll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare professionals.
Skip to main content
Rifabutin Coupon - Rifabutin 150mg capsule

rifabutin

Generic Mycobutin
Used for Tuberculosis
Used for Tuberculosis

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.

Last reviewed on June 19, 2023
basics-icon

What is Rifabutin (Mycobutin)?

What is Rifabutin (Mycobutin) used for?

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

How Rifabutin (Mycobutin) works

Rifabutin (Mycobutin) kills certain bacteria by blocking an enzyme (protein) the bacteria need make copies of itself, so it can't grow and spread. It's not known if it does the same thing to the bacteria that causes Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC).

Are you looking for information on rifampin (Rifadin) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsMycobutin
Drug ClassRifamycin antibiotic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
coupon-save-icon

Get your GoodRx coupon

Avg retail price
$406.30(save 71.74%)
GoodRx discount
$114.81
See prices
basics-icon

What are the side effects of Rifabutin (Mycobutin)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

Other Side Effects

  • Stomach pain
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Low appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • Upset stomach
  • Excessive gas
  • Vomiting
  • Muscle pain
  • Change in taste

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Severe skin or allergic reaction: fever, body aches, rash, swelling of your lips or tongue, trouble breathing, blistering or peeling skin
  • Infectious diarrhea: fever, tiredness, stomach pain, watery diarrhea, loose stools multiple times a day

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine 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:

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

Some side effects 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

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Rifabutin (Mycobutin)

thumbs-up

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

thumbs-down

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

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Rifabutin (Mycobutin)

pharmacist
  • It's normal to have upset stomach, including diarrhea, while you're on antibiotics. If you're having trouble taking rifabutin (Mycobutin) 300 mg once daily, talk to your provider about trying 150 mg twice a day with food.

    • Rifabutin (Mycobutin) interacts with many medications. It's important to tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications you're taking. Before starting any new medications, make sure your provider knows that you're on rifabutin (Mycobutin). Also let them know when you stop taking rifabutin (Mycobutin) so they can make the appropriate adjustments.

      • Since rifabutin (Mycobutin) can cause hormonal birth control to work less well and raise your risk for pregnancy. You should consider other methods of birth control, such as condoms, while you're taking rifabutin (Mycobutin). Talk with your provider if you're not sure about your options for birth control.

        • Rifabutin (Mycobutin) can turn your skin and body fluids (urine, sweat, spit, tears) to turn brown-orange. This can permanently stain soft contact lenses, clothing, and fabric.

          • Before starting rifabutin (Mycobutin) for MAC prevention, your provider will make sure that you don't have an active MAC or TB infection. Let your provider know right away if you notice new symptoms such as coughing that doesn't go away, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, fever, chills, or night sweats. These can be signs of an active MAC or TB infection that require treatment with a combination of antibiotics.

            faqs

            Frequently asked questions about Rifabutin (Mycobutin)

            What is rifabutin (Mycobutin) used for?
            Rifabutin (Mycobutin) helps prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), a serious bacterial infection that mostly affects people with severe HIV. It's not, however, a first choice option, and your provider will need to make sure you don't have tuberculosis (TB) before prescribing this for you.
            Is rifabutin (Mycobutin) used for treatment of
            H.pylori?
            Rifabutin (Mycobutin) is only FDA-approved to prevent MAC in people with HIV. On its own, it's not approved to treat H.pylori stomach infections. But studies suggest rifabutin (Mycobutin) might be a second-choice option (in combination with other antibiotics) for H.pylori infections for people whose infections didn't go away after taking recommended medications. In fact, you can find rifabutin (Mycobutin) as a combination medication called Talicia for H. pylori. Talk with your provider if you've questions about rifabutin (Mycobutin) and H.pylori.
            Is rifabutin (Mycobutin) the same as rifampin?
            No, rifabutin (Mycobutin) isn't the same as rifampin (Rifadin). Both medications are rifamycin antibiotics. But rifampin (Rifadin) is mostly used to treat tuberculosis (TB), whereas rifabutin (Mycobutin) is only approved to prevent MAC. But according to the CDC, your provider can consider rifabutin (Mycobutin) as an option to treat TB for certain people with HIV. Compared to rifampin (Rifadin), rifabutin (Mycobutin) has less severe medication interactions with certain HIV medication and might be a better option for treating TB in people who are taking these HIV medications.
            How long do I take rifabutin (Mycobutin) for?
            Rifabutin (Mycobutin) is prescribed for people with high risk of getting Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease due to severe HIV. People at high risk includes those living with HIV who have a low CD4 count and aren't taking HIV ARVs to lower their HIV viral load. Your provider will usually stop rifabutin (Mycobutin) when you're no longer at a high risk for getting MAC. Some people might need to continue rifabutin (Mycobutin) for their lifetime. Ask your provider if you're not sure how long you need to take rifabutin (Mycobutin) for.
            Is rifabutin (Mycobutin) safe to take during pregnancy?
            Rifabutin (Mycobutin) hasn't been well-studied in human pregnancy. In animal studies suggest that rifabutin (Mycobutin) can affect the bone development of unborn babies. If you're pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medication, talk with your providers. They'll only prescribe rifabutin (Mycobutin) if the benefits of this medication is greater than its risk of harm.
            GoodRxEducationalIcon

            How to save using GoodRx

            Compare Prices
            1. Compare PricesSpecify your dosage and quantity to find out exactly how much you can save.
            Select your free coupon
            2. Select your free couponYou can use the displayed coupon, or compare prices at other pharmacies near you.
            Show coupon to your pharmacist
            3. Show coupon to your pharmacistPresent your printed or electronic coupon when you pick up your prescription.
            Get free couponLearn more
            warings-icon

            What are the risks and warnings for Rifabutin (Mycobutin)?

            Rifabutin (Mycobutin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

            risk-warning

            Not for treatment of tuberculosis (TB)

            Don't take rifabutin (Mycobutin) to prevent MAC if you have active tuberculosis. Doing so can lead to serious antibiotic resistance problems. You must take a combination of different anti-TB antibiotics if you have a TB infection. Your provider will evaluate you to make sure you don't have TB before starting rifabutin (Mycobutin), and will regularly check to make sure you don't get a TB infection while taking this medication for MAC.

            risk-warning

            Interactions with other medications

            Rifabutin (Mycobutin) interacts with a lot of medications, including clarithromycin, which is also used for MAC treatment, and protease inhibitors, a class of HIV ARVs. It's very important that all your providers and pharmacists have a full list of your medications. This way they can check for medication interactions and adjust the doses to make sure you are getting the right amount of medication.

            risk-warning

            Serious allergic and skin reactions

            Rifabutin (Mycobutin) can cause serious allergic and skin reactions, including anaphylaxis. If you develop dizziness, rash or hives, swelling in your face or tongue, difficulty breathing, or flu-like symptoms, get medical help right away.

            risk-warning

            Eye inflammation

            • Risk factors: Also taking clarithromycin, azithromycin, or fluconazole

              It's rare, but some people who take rifabutin (Mycobutin) get uveitis, inflammation of an important part of the eye. It's more common in people who are also taking other anti-infective medications like clarithromycin, azithromycin, and fluconazole. If you notice eye redness, pain, blurry vision, or light sensitivity, let your provider know right away. They might tell you to stop taking the medication and will refer you to an eye specialist.

              risk-warning

              Infectious diarrhea

              • Risk factors: Taking rifabutin (Mycobutin) for a long time | Taking other antibiotics recently

                All antibiotics, including rifabutin (Mycobutin), can raise your risk of getting a serious gut bacterial infection that causes severe diarrhea. This can happen even after you've finished treatment with rifabutin (Mycobutin). If you develop severe diarrhea with watery stools after you finish the medication, talk to your provider.

                risk-warning

                Low blood cell counts

                Rifabutin (Mycobutin) can cause low numbers of white blood cells and platelets in the blood. Your provider will order regular lab tests to monitor your cell counts while you're on this antibiotic.

                dosage

                Rifabutin (Mycobutin) dosage forms

                The average cost for 28 capsules of 150mg of Rifabutin (Mycobutin) is $114.81 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 71.74% off the average retail price of $406.30.
                capsule
                Capsule
                DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                150mg28 capsules$114.81$4.10

                Typical dosing for Rifabutin (Mycobutin)

                The typical dose is 300 mg by mouth once daily. People who have stomach upset with medications can take 150 mg twice daily with food.

                Your dose might differ if you have kidney problems or if you're also taking certain medications.

                interactions

                Interactions between Rifabutin (Mycobutin) and other drugs

                Rifabutin (Mycobutin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Rifabutin (Mycobutin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                drug-cost

                How much does Rifabutin (Mycobutin) cost?

                To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.View prices & coupons
                contraindications-icon

                Rifabutin (Mycobutin) contraindications

                Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Rifabutin (Mycobutin) will not be safe for you to take.
                alternatives

                What are alternatives to Rifabutin (Mycobutin)?

                There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Rifabutin (Mycobutin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                Rifabutin (Mycobutin)
                Used for:
                • Prevention of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease in people with severe HIV infection

                $114.81 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                Used for:
                • Ear infections (ages 6 months and older)

                • Pneumonia (ages 6 months and older)

                • Strep throat (ages 2 years and older)

                • Tonsil infections (ages 2 years and older)

                $3.66 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                Used for:
                • Tuberculosis (TB)

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

                $45.92 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                images

                Rifabutin (Mycobutin) images

                Red-Brown Mycobutin Pharmacia & Upjohn - Rifabutin 150mg Capsule
                This medicine is Red-Brown Capsule Imprinted With "Mycobutin Pharmacia & Upjohn".Red-Brown Mycobutin Pharmacia & Upjohn - Rifabutin 150mg Capsule

                Get savings updates for Rifabutin (Mycobutin)

                Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Rifabutin (Mycobutin) and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.

                By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.

                References

                Best studies we found

                Akram, S. M., et al. (2023). Mycobacterium avium complex. StatPearls.

                American Lung Association. (n.d.). MAC lung disease.

                Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Managing drug interactions in the treatment of HIV-related tuberculosis.

                View All References (6)
                GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
                Was this page helpful?

                Browse medications

                View All

                Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.