Medications That Can Change the Color of Your Urine
Abnormal urine color can be worrying. But did you know discolored urine is often due to medications? See which medications can change the color of your urine.
rifampin
Used for Skin Infection, Tuberculosis
Used for Skin Infection, Tuberculosis
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.
What is Rifampin (Rifadin)?
What is Rifampin (Rifadin) used for?
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Meningococcal carriers (when there's bacteria living in the nose and/or throat, but not causing infection)
How Rifampin (Rifadin) works
Rifampin (Rifadin) is a rifamycin antibiotic. It blocks an enzyme (protein) the bacteria need to eventually make proteins, so the bacteria can't grow and spread.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Rifadin |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Rifamycin antibiotic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Rifampin (Rifadin)
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
- Temporary change in color (orange/yellow) of body fluids and teeth
Less Common Side Effects
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Fever
- Nervous system problems affecting energy, movement, thinking, or behavior
- Nerve pain or numbness
- Changes in vision
- Changes in menstrual cycle
- Fluid buildup (edema) in the face, arms, and/or legs
Rifampin (Rifadin) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction: fever, rash, swelling of your lips or tongue, trouble breathing
- Serious bleeds: bruising easily, blood in the urine or stool, bleeding that's difficult to stop
- Liver problems: loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dark urine, or yellowing of the eyes or skin
More on Rifampin (Rifadin) side effects
The following Rifampin (Rifadin) 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:
Rare
Agitation
bleeding gums
blood in the urine or stools
bruising
confusion
coughing or vomiting blood
dark urine
darkening of the skin
decreased frequency or amount of urine
difficulty in breathing and swallowing
dizziness
fainting
fast heartbeat
fever with or without chills
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
headache
hoarseness
hostility
increased blood pressure
increased thirst
irritability
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
mental depression
painful or difficult urination
persistent bleeding or oozing from puncture sites, mouth, or nose
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
skin itching, rash, or redness
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stomach pain
swelling of the face, ankles, fingers, hands, or lower legs
tightness in the chest
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
vomiting
yellow eyes or skin
Incidence not known
Bleeding under the skin
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
bloody, severe, or watery diarrhea
bone pain
chills
cold, clammy skin
difficulty with speaking
double vision
fast, weak pulse
inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
inability to speak
increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
joint or muscle pain
lightheadedness
nosebleeds
pale skin
paralysis
pinpoint red spots on the skin
prolonged bleeding from cuts
red or black, tarry stools
red or dark brown urine
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
slow speech
sores, welts, blisters
sweating
swollen glands
unpleasant breath odor
unusual weight loss
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Blurred vision
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
feeling of fullness in the upper abdomen or stomach
low blood pressure or slow pulse
pain in the upper abdomen or stomach
reddish-orange to reddish-brown color of the urine, stool, saliva, sputum, sweat, and tears
seizures
swelling around the eyes or face
unconsciousness
yellow eyes or skin
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:
Rare
Feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
feeling that others can hear your thoughts
feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
muscle tenderness, wasting, or weakness
severe mood or mental changes
unusual behavior
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.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$175.93
GoodRx discount
$40.39
Pros and cons of Rifampin (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
Pharmacist tips for Rifampin (Rifadin)
- Take rifampin (Rifadin) 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal with a full glass of water.
- Before starting rifampin (Rifadin) for tuberculosis (TB), you'll need to get bloodwork done to check the health of your liver, kidneys, and blood cells. Make sure to follow up with your provider while you are taking rifampin (Rifadin) to make sure the medication is working correctly and not causing side effects.
- For active TB infections, most people need to take rifampin (Rifadin) in combination with other anti-TB antibiotics such as isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol (Myambutol). Some people have latent TB (when you have TB in your body, but you don't have symptoms), which can be treated with just rifampin (Rifadin) by itself. Talk to your provider if you're not sure if you have active or latent TB.
- A common side effect is body fluids (e.g., urine, sweat, spit, tears) turning yellow, orange, red, or brown. This can lead to staining of clothing, teeth, soft contact lenses, which can be permanent.
- Rifampin (Rifadin) can cause serious liver injury. It's best to avoid alcohol, herbal supplements, or other medications that can also affect your liver while you are taking rifampin (Rifadin).
- It's very important not to miss any doses of rifampin (Rifadin) or other anti-TB medications. Skipping doses can make the bacteria resistant to the usual antibiotics, which then makes the infection much harder to treat.
- Rifampin (Rifadin) interacts with many medications. Usually, it causes other medication levels to be lower making them less effective (not work as well). It's important to tell your provider and pharmacist about all the medications you are taking, including supplements and birth control as they might need to change your dose. Before starting any new medications, make sure your provider knows that you're on rifampin (Rifadin).
- Since rifampin (Rifadin) can cause hormonal birth control to work less effectively, you should consider other methods of birth control while you are taking rifampin (Rifadin). Some options include condoms, spermicides, and a copper intrauterine device (IUD).
More on Rifampin (Rifadin) tips
Risks and warnings for Rifampin (Rifadin)
Rifampin (Rifadin) 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.
Liver injury
- Risk factors: Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that cause liver injury | Liver problems
Rifampin (Rifadin) can cause liver problems, which can be serious and life-threatening. You'll need regular blood tests to make sure that your liver is healthy, especially if you need to take rifampin (Rifadin) for a long time. While you're taking rifampin (Rifadin), avoid alcohol and other medications that might harm your liver. Before starting this medication, talk to your provider if you have a history of liver problems since taking rifampin (Rifadin) can make those problems worse. If you've a loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dark urine, or yellowing of the eyes or skin, talk to your provider right away because you might need to stop this medication.
Not for treating meningococcal infection
Rifampin (Rifadin) isn't meant to treat an active meningococcal infection. It's only meant to treat meningococcal bacteria if you're a carrier of the bacteria, but not showing any symptoms. Take this medication only for a short amount of time (usually recommended for 2 days) to prevent antibiotic resistance.
Allergic reactions
Rifampin (Rifadin) can cause various types of allergic reactions. You might experience allergy symptoms like rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing. Skin reactions can be severe or even life-threatening, especially if they affect large parts of the body or mucous membranes, like your eyes and mouth. Allergic reactions can also be less typical, such as abnormal blood counts, liver injury, or flu-like symptoms (weakness, vomiting, aches, and chills). If you feel unwell after starting rifampin (Rifadin), even if you don't see a rash, it's best to check with your provider to make sure you're not experiencing a severe allergic reaction. When taking rifampin (Rifadin) daily for tuberculosis, be careful not to miss doses, since stopping and starting the medication can cause kidney problems.
Higher risk for bleeding
- Risk factors: Liver problems | Poor nutrition | Taking antibiotics or blood thinners for a long time
Rifampin (Rifadin) can cause bleeding problems, especially in people at risk for having low vitamin K. You might need regular blood tests to monitor your risk of bleeding. Your provider might prescribe vitamin K supplements which can help your clotting factors work better. If you notice abnormal bleeding or bruising while on rifampin (Rifadin), call your provider right away.
Caution in diabetes
Rifampin (Rifadin) can make it harder to control your blood sugar if you have diabetes. Before starting this medication, talk to your provider about your diabetes management plan.
More side effects if not taken once a day
For treatment of tuberculosis, it's best to take rifampin (Rifadin) once a day and no more than 600 mg per day. If you find that it's hard to take rifampin (Rifadin) every day, your provider may recommend a different dose strategy such as taking it twice a week. Taking higher doses less frequently can help some people stay on track with the medication, but also raises the risk of side effects such as flu-like symptoms, abnormal blood counts, upset stomach, liver or kidney injury, or allergic reaction including anaphylaxis.
Effects on hormones and vitamin D levels
Rifampin (Rifadin) raises the activity of some enzymes in the body. This can lead to faster breakdown of certain hormones (adrenal and thyroid) and vitamin D. Lower vitamin D in the body can lead to low calcium and phosphate, as well as high parathyroid hormone.
Rifampin (Rifadin) dosage
The average cost for 60 capsules of 300mg of Rifampin (Rifadin) is $47.41 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 62.82% off the average retail price of $127.52.
Typical dosage for Rifampin (Rifadin)
Tuberculosis
Your provider will calculate the dose of rifampin (Rifadin) based on your age and body weight. They'll also prescribe other tuberculosis medications to take along with rifampin (Rifadin). Your provider will let you know how long your treatment will last, but it'll usually take 4 months or longer.
- Adults: The typical dose is 10 mg/kg (up to 600 mg) once a day.
- Children: The typical dose is 10 mg/kg to 20 mg/kg (up to 600 mg) once a day.
Meningococcal bacteria in the nose and/or throat
- Adults: The recommended dose is 600 mg by mouth twice daily for 2 days.
- Children: The recommended dose ranges from 5 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg (up to 600 mg per dose), depending on your child's age. They'll take this medication by mouth every 12 hours for 2 days.
Rifampin (Rifadin) is also available as an infusion through the veins given by a healthcare provider in the hospital setting.
Interactions between Rifampin (Rifadin) and other drugs
Rifampin (Rifadin) 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 Rifampin (Rifadin). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
- Artemether
- Atazanavir
- Bictegravir
- Boceprevir
- Cabotegravir
- Cobicistat
- Daclatasvir
- Darunavir
- Dasabuvir
- Delamanid
- Doravirine
- Elbasvir
- Elvitegravir
- Fosamprenavir
- Fostemsavir
- Glecaprevir
- Grazoprevir
- Isavuconazonium
- Lopinavir
- Lorlatinib
- Lurasidone
- Maraviroc
- Nelfinavir
- Ombitasvir
- Paritaprevir
- Pibrentasvir
- Praziquantel
- Ranolazine
- Rilpivirine
- Ritonavir
- Saquinavir
- Sofosbuvir
- Telaprevir
- Tenofovir Alafenamide
- Tipranavir
- Velpatasvir
- Voriconazole
- Voxilaprevir
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.
- Abemaciclib
- Abiraterone Acetate
- Acalabrutinib
- Afatinib
- Alfentanil
- Alpelisib
- Amiodarone
- Amlodipine
- Amprenavir
- Apixaban
- Apremilast
- Aprepitant
- Aripiprazole
- Atovaquone
- Avapritinib
- Avatrombopag
- Axitinib
- Bedaquiline
- Bendamustine
- Benzhydrocodone
- Berotralstat
- Betrixaban
- Bosutinib
- Brexpiprazole
- Brigatinib
- Brivaracetam
- Buprenorphine
- Cabozantinib
- Cannabidiol
- Capmatinib
- Cariprazine
- Ceritinib
- Cholera Vaccine, Live
- Clopidogrel
- Clozapine
- Cobimetinib
- Codeine
- Copanlisib
- Crizotinib
- Cyclosporine
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Darolutamide
- Dasatinib
- Deferasirox
- Deflazacort
- Delavirdine
- Desogestrel
- Dexamethasone
- Dienogest
- Digoxin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Dolutegravir
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Dronedarone
- Drospirenone
- Duvelisib
- Edoxaban
- Efavirenz
- Elagolix
- Elexacaftor
- Eliglustat
- Eluxadoline
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Enzalutamide
- Eravacycline
- Erdafitinib
- Erlotinib
- Estradiol
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Ethionamide
- Ethynodiol
- Etonogestrel
- Etravirine
- Everolimus
- Exemestane
- Fedratinib
- Fenfluramine
- Fentanyl
- Fosaprepitant
- Fosnetupitant
- Fosphenytoin
- Fostamatinib
- Gefitinib
- Gestodene
- Gilteritinib
- Glasdegib
- Halothane
- Hemin
- Hydrocodone
- Ibrutinib
- Idelalisib
- Ifosfamide
- Imatinib
- Indinavir
- Irinotecan
- Irinotecan Liposome
- Isoniazid
- Istradefylline
- Itraconazole
- Ivabradine
- Ivacaftor
- Ivosidenib
- Ixabepilone
- Ixazomib
- Ketoconazole
- Lamotrigine
- Lapatinib
- Larotrectinib
- Ledipasvir
- Lefamulin
- Lemborexant
- Letermovir
- Levonorgestrel
- Linagliptin
- Lorcainide
- Lumateperone
- Lurbinectedin
- Macimorelin
- Macitentan
- Manidipine
- Medroxyprogesterone
- Meperidine
- Mestranol
- Methadone
- Metoprolol
- Midostaurin
- Mifepristone
- Mirtazapine
- Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Mycophenolic Acid
- Naloxegol
- Neratinib
- Netupitant
- Nevirapine
- Nifedipine
- Nilotinib
- Nimodipine
- Nintedanib
- Nomegestrol
- Norelgestromin
- Norethindrone
- Norgestimate
- Norgestrel
- Olaparib
- Osimertinib
- Oxcarbazepine
- Oxycodone
- Ozanimod
- Palbociclib
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Pazopanib
- Pemigatinib
- Pentazocine
- Perampanel
- Pexidartinib
- Phenytoin
- Piperaquine
- Pitavastatin
- Pitolisant
- Ponatinib
- Ponesimod
- Posaconazole
- Pralsetinib
- Pretomanid
- Pyrazinamide
- Quetiapine
- Quinine
- Regorafenib
- Relugolix
- Revefenacin
- Ribociclib
- Rimegepant
- Ripretinib
- Rivaroxaban
- Roflumilast
- Rolapitant
- Romidepsin
- Segesterone
- Selexipag
- Selpercatinib
- Selumetinib
- Simeprevir
- Siponimod
- Sirolimus
- Sonidegib
- Sorafenib
- Stiripentol
- Sufentanil
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tamoxifen
- Tasimelteon
- Tazemetostat
- Telithromycin
- Temsirolimus
- Tezacaftor
- Thiotepa
- Ticagrelor
- Tivozanib
- Tofacitinib
- Tolvaptan
- Trabectedin
- Tramadol
- Tucatinib
- Ubrogepant
- Ulipristal
- Upadacitinib
- Valbenazine
- Vandetanib
- Vemurafenib
- Venetoclax
- Vilazodone
- Vincristine
- Vincristine Sulfate Liposome
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Vorapaxar
- Vortioxetine
- Voxelotor
- Zanubrutinib
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.
- Acetyldigoxin
- Aliskiren
- Anisindione
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Atorvastatin
- Betamethasone
- Bexarotene
- Bosentan
- Buspirone
- Carbamazepine
- Carvedilol
- Caspofungin
- Chloramphenicol
- Chlorpropamide
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clofibrate
- Cortisone
- Dicumarol
- Diltiazem
- Disopyramide
- Doxycycline
- Eltrombopag
- Enalaprilat
- Enalapril Maleate
- Etoricoxib
- Fluconazole
- Fludrocortisone
- Gliclazide
- Glyburide
- Haloperidol
- Isradipine
- Levomethadyl
- Levothyroxine
- Linezolid
- Losartan
- Mefloquine
- Metformin
- Methylprednisolone
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Moxifloxacin
- Nisoldipine
- Ospemifene
- Phenprocoumon
- Pioglitazone
- Pirmenol
- Prednisolone
- Prednisone
- Propafenone
- Raltegravir
- Repaglinide
- Risperidone
- Rofecoxib
- Rosiglitazone
- Sertraline
- Simvastatin
- Tadalafil
- Theophylline
- Tocainide
- Triazolam
- Trimetrexate
- Valproic Acid
- Warfarin
- Zaleplon
- Zidovudine
- Zolpidem
How much does Rifampin (Rifadin) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Rifampin (Rifadin) 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 Rifampin (Rifadin) will not be safe for you to take.
- Taking saquinavir with ritonavir
- Taking atazanavir, darunavir , fosamprenavir, saquinavir, or tipranavir
- Taking rifampin (Rifadin) within 4 weeks of starting praziquantel
What are alternatives to Rifampin (Rifadin)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Rifampin (Rifadin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Rifampin (Rifadin)
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When bacteria are resistant to multiple medications, they’re called superbugs. Find out more about superbugs and their link to antibiotic resistance.
9 Rifampin Side Effects You Should Know About
The most common rifampin (Rifadin) side effects are nausea, heartburn, and diarrhea. But there are several other side effects to look out for.
What Is Rifampin Used For? (Plus 5 More Pharmacist-Backed Tips for Taking It)
Rifampin is an antibiotic medication. It’s often used to treat bacterial infections, including tuberculosis and certain types of meningitis.
How Do Antibiotics and Other Medications Interfere With Birth Control?
Antibiotics, antiepileptics, antiretrovirals, and St. John’s wort are the most likely medications to interact with hormonal birth control. If you are about to start taking one of these medications, you may need to talk to your provider about alternative contraceptives. Learn more, with GoodRx.
Low on Vitamin D? Your Medications Could Be to Blame
Many medications can lower vitamin D levels and lead to deficiency — like blood pressure medications, antibiotics, and steroids. Learn what may be contributing to your low vitamin D levels.
What You Need to Know About Meningitis
Meningitis is an infection of the outer lining of the brain and spinal cord. It can be caused by viruses or bacteria. If untreated, it can be a serious infection that leads to permanent disability or even death. Learn about the causes of meningitis, symptoms, treatment, and prevention options.
Rifampin (Rifadin) images
