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Rifampicin (R)
Rifampicin inhibits bacterial RNA polymerase, preventing transcription and blocking bacterial protein synthesis.
Rifampicin inhibits bacterial RNA polymerase, preventing transcription and blocking bacterial protein synthesis. Used for Tuberculosis (drug-susceptible and drug-resistant), Leprosy, Atypical mycobacterial infections (MAC, M. marinum).
At a glance
| Generic name | Rifampicin (R) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Metronidazole, Rif |
| Sponsor | University College, London |
| Drug class | Rifamycin antibiotic |
| Target | Bacterial RNA polymerase β-subunit |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Rifampicin binds to the β-subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase II, blocking the path of elongating RNA and preventing transcription initiation. This mechanism is highly selective for bacterial RNA polymerase and has minimal effect on eukaryotic RNA polymerases, making it effective as an antibiotic. It is bactericidal and works against a broad spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
Approved indications
- Tuberculosis (drug-susceptible and drug-resistant)
- Leprosy
- Atypical mycobacterial infections (MAC, M. marinum)
- Brucellosis
- Legionellosis
- Endocarditis prophylaxis
Common side effects
- Hepatotoxicity
- Orange discoloration of body fluids
- Rash
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Drug interactions (enzyme induction)
- Thrombocytopenia
- Fever
Key clinical trials
- Shortened Regimen for Drug-susceptible TB in Children (PHASE3)
- AIPH-TB: AI-Optimised Pyrazinamide-Hydroxychloroquine vs Standard RIPE for Drug-Sensitive Pulmonary Tuberculosis - A Phase II RCT (PHASE2)
- Digitally Facilitated, Integrated Community and Facility-Based Interventions: The HEART-TB Trial Protocol (NA)
- Mechanical Bowel Preparation With or Without Oral Antibiotics in Left Sided Colorectal Cancer Surgery (NA)
- Asymptomatic TB With Innovative Modified Short-course Regimens (PHASE4)
- ATORvastatin in Pulmonary TUBerculosis: a POPulation PharmacoKinetics -PharmacoDynamics Sub-study (ATORTUB popPK-PD) (PHASE2)
- Phase 2 Trial to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability and Early Bactericidal Activity of RESP30TB in Tuberculosis (PHASE2)
- Rifampin-combined Antibiotic Therapy for Staphylococcal PJI (NA)
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:
- Rifampicin (R) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Rifampicin (R) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- University College, London portfolio CI