Antibiotic
rifampin Audio
ri·fam·pin [ ri-fam-pin ]
Brand Names:
Rifadin; Rifamate; Rifater
Effect:
Decreased RNA Replication; Decreased Transcription to RNA
May Prevent:
Meningitis, Meningococcal; Tuberculosis
May Treat:
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Brucellosis; Haemophilus Infections; Legionnaires' Disease; Leprosy; Meningitis, Bacterial; Staphylococcal Infections; Tuberculosis
More Information:
ChemID; DrugBank; DailyMed; PDR
Definitions related to rifampin:
  • A drug used in the treatment of infections caused by bacteria. It belongs to the family of drugs called antibiotics.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • A semisynthetic antibiotic produced from Streptomyces mediterranei. It has a broad antibacterial spectrum, including activity against several forms of Mycobacterium. In susceptible organisms it inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity by forming a stable complex with the enzyme. It thus suppresses the initiation of RNA synthesis. Rifampin is bactericidal, and acts on both intracellular and extracellular organisms. (From Gilman et al., Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed, p1160)
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • A semisynthetic derivative of rifamycin with broad antibacterial activity. Rifampin inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase in susceptible bacteria and is often used in combination with other antibiotics for various infections including tuberculosis.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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