rifampin

[ri-fam-pin]

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a semisynthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic, C 4 3 H 5 8 N 4 O 1 2 , used in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, asymptomatic carriers of meningococcal disease, and leprosy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rifampin¹

1965–70; probably rifam ( yci ) n (originally, rifomycin, equivalent to rifo- (perhaps < Italian rifo ( rmare ) to reform ) + -mycin ) + pi(perazine)

Example Sentences

He recommended that she take two antibiotics — doxycycline and rifampin — for a total of six weeks to treat the infection.

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In the past decade, scientists have come up with two shorter courses: a drug called rifampin taken every day for four months; or a combination of isoniazid and rifapentine, taken once weekly for three months.

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The results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that four months of rifampin were as good as nine months of isoniazid.

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A randomized, controlled trial of doxycycline and rifampin for patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

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At pharmacies in 17 countries, the authors bought 713 samples of two TB drugs, the antibiotics rifampin and isoniazid.

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