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Rifabutin/rifampin
Rifabutin and rifampin are rifamycin antibiotics that inhibit bacterial RNA polymerase, preventing transcription and killing mycobacteria and other bacteria.
Rifabutin and rifampin are rifamycin antibiotics that inhibit bacterial RNA polymerase, preventing transcription and killing mycobacteria and other bacteria. Used for Tuberculosis (rifampin), Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) prophylaxis and treatment (rifabutin), Tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients (rifabutin preferred due to drug interactions).
At a glance
| Generic name | Rifabutin/rifampin |
|---|---|
| Also known as | mycobutin/ |
| Sponsor | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler |
| Drug class | Rifamycin antibiotic |
| Target | Bacterial RNA polymerase β-subunit |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Both drugs bind to the bacterial RNA polymerase β-subunit and block RNA synthesis, making them bactericidal against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). Rifabutin has a slightly different spectrum and is often preferred in patients on certain antiretroviral drugs due to fewer drug interactions, while rifampin is the first-line agent for tuberculosis. They are prodrugs that require activation in some organisms.
Approved indications
- Tuberculosis (rifampin)
- Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) prophylaxis and treatment (rifabutin)
- Tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients (rifabutin preferred due to drug interactions)
Common side effects
- Discoloration of body fluids (orange-red)
- Hepatotoxicity
- Gastrointestinal disturbance
- Rash
- Uveitis (rifabutin)
- Drug interactions (enzyme induction)
Key clinical trials
- A Study of Bedaquiline Administered as Part of a Treatment Regimen With Clarithromycin and Ethambutol in Adult Patients With Treatment-refractory Mycobacterium Avium Complex-lung Disease (MAC-LD) (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Pharmacokinetic Properties of Antiretroviral and Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Short-course Regimens for the Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- The Individualized M(X) Drug-resistant TB Treatment Strategy Study (PHASE4)
- Assessing PA-824 for Tuberculosis (the APT Trial) (PHASE2)
- Rifabutin Versus Rifampicin for Treatment of Staphylococcal PJI Treated With DAIR (PHASE3)
- Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy of SPR720 for the Treatment of Patients With Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) Pulmonary Disease (PHASE2)
- Pharmacokinetics Study to Evaluate Drug-Drug Interactions and Safety of Elpida® in Co-Administration With Other Drugs (PHASE1)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Rifabutin/rifampin CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Rifabutin/rifampin updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler portfolio CI