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Overview: Priftin is used for tuberculosis. Common side effects include low levels of red blood cells, coughing, and sweating more than usual. Priftin can cause your body fluids, like your urine (pee), saliva, tears, and sweat, to turn a red-orange color. This color change is normal and not harmful, but it can stain contact lenses or dentures permanently. It is important to complete your prescribed course of Priftin, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to Priftin or other similar medicines.

Uses

What is Priftin used for?

Priftin (rifapentine) is commonly used to treat tuberculosis (along with other medicine). Priftin can also be used to reduce the risk of an inactive tuberculosis infection becoming active. 

Priftin may not be the right drug for some of the infections listed above, depending on which germs are causing the infection. Bacteria in some locations may have developed resistance to rifapentine, which will make it not work as well.

Priftin may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Priftin work (mechanism of action)?

Priftin helps stop the tuberculosis bacteria from multiplying in your body. This makes it easier for your body to fight off the infection and get rid of the bacteria.

How is Priftin supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Priftin

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 150 mg oral tablets

How should I store Priftin?

Priftin should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when you’re transporting it. Store it in a cool, dry place, and protect it from excessive heat and humidity. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Priftin?

The most common side effects of Priftin are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Blood disorders, including low red and white blood cell levels, and high platelet levels
  • A cough, and coughing up blood
  • Sweating more than usual
  • Back and joint pain
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite 
  • Allergic reaction and flu-like symptoms (such as fever, chills, and body aches)
  • Increased liver function tests

There may be other side effects of Priftin that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Priftin?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Priftin are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking Priftin. Stop taking Priftin and call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Stomach or belly pain
  • Fever
  • Weakness or unusual tiredness
  • Itching
  • Loss of appetite
  • Light-colored poop
  • Dark-colored urine (pee)
  • Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)

Severe Skin Reactions. Priftin can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), that can lead to death if not treated. If you get a rash, stop Priftin and call your health care provider right away. Stop taking Priftin and get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of SJS or TEN.

  • Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
  • Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
  • Red, painful, watery eyes

Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea. An overgrowth of germs called Clostridioides difficile, or “C. diff,” can happen in your gut with many types of antibiotics, including Priftin. This can cause a condition known as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and can happen even up to two months after stopping the antibiotic. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of this condition.

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Diarrhea that does not go away
  • Blood in your stool (poop)
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Fever that starts after you start or finish the medicine

Severe Allergic Reactions. Priftin may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Some of these reactions give you flu-like symptoms. Stop taking Priftin and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems, coughing, or wheezing
  • Racing heart or chest pain
  • Fever, chills, sweating, body aches, or general ill feeling
  • Weakness or feeling tired
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Low blood pressure, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain
  • Red/puffy eyes
  • Low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia)

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Priftin?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Priftin.

  • Priftin
  • Rifapentine
  • Any other medicine known as a rifamycin
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Priftin.

What should I know about Priftin before using it?

Do not take Priftin unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Take each dose of Priftin with food. This helps reduce the risk of an upset stomach.

Do not share Priftin with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Priftin out of the reach of children.

Your health care provider will likely perform bloodwork before starting this medicine and while you are taking it to monitor the health of your liver. It is important to keep all appointments for bloodwork.

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Priftin, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to Priftin or other similar medicines.

Priftin can cause your body fluids, like your urine (pee), saliva, tears, and sweat, to turn a red-orange color. This color change is normal and not harmful, but it can stain contact lenses or dentures permanently.

If you use a birth control method that has hormones in it, Priftin may make it not work as well. You should use another method (non-hormonal) of birth control while taking Priftin to prevent pregnancy. Talk to your health care provider about your birth control options and any concerns. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using Priftin?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Priftin is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • History of taking medicine to treat tuberculosis
  • Liver problems
  • Porphyria
  • HIV or AIDS

Other Medicines and Supplements. Priftin may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Priftin, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Priftin could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Priftin passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Priftin while breastfeeding. If you breastfeed while taking Priftin, monitor your baby for crankiness, crying more than usual, decreased appetite, vomiting, yellowing of the eyes, dark-colored urine (pee), or light-colored stool (poop). Contact your health care provider if you notice any of these things. 

How can I get more information about Priftin?

For more information about Priftin, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.priftin.com or call them at 800-633-1610.

Interactions

Does Priftin interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Priftin and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Priftin. The risk of liver damage may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking Priftin. It is best to limit alcohol while taking Priftin.

Does Priftin interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before using Priftin.

  • A medicine for HIV, AIDS, or hepatitis
  • A medicine for birth control

Priftin may alter the blood levels of many other medicines. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Priftin. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Priftin?

If you or someone else has used too much Priftin, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Priftin?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses. 

It is important to complete your prescribed course of Priftin, even if your symptoms get better or go away. This will reduce the risk that future infections are resistant to Priftin or other similar medicines.