General Information on Rifater
Rifater is an antibiotic. It prevents bacteria from spreading in your body. It is a combination of 3 drugs- Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide and Rifampin. All 3 of them are antibiotics used to treat and prevent Tuberculosis causing bacteria from multiplying in the body. The combination of Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide and Rifampin is used to treat Tuberculosis.
Rifampin works by killing the bacteria that are causing infection. Isoniazid prevents the bacteria from making mycolic acid which is needed to form the cell walls of the bacteria. It also disrupts the metabolism of the bacteria, forcing it to die.
Rifater is administered as tablets. It comes in 3 strengths- Rifater 50mg, Rifater 120 mg and Rifater 300 mg.
Side effects of Rifater
Some of the major side effects caused by Rifater are given below:
- Any allergic reaction
- Fever, body ache, chills, symptoms of flu
- Swelling in joints and pain
- Weakness
- Coughing up blood
- Dark or Bloody stools, jaundice
- Bloody or dark urine, change in the amount of urine produced
- Changes in vision
- Memory problems
The less severe side effects are given below:
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea
- Gas, mild stomach upset or cramps
- Headache, heartburn
- Mild joint or muscle aches
- Red or orange colored urine, stool, tears, sweat or saliva
You must avoid wearing contact lenses during the treatment. The most common side effect of Isoniazid is that it affects the nervous system and liver. Pyrazinamide cause Hepatic reaction as most common side effect. This medicine can have harmful effect on the fetus. Before you buy Rifater, make sure you consult your doctor about allergies to any ingredient present in the medicine and your medical history. You should also seek advice in case you are pregnant. Nursing should be avoided as the active ingredients of Rifater enter the mammary glands as well.
Dosage of Rifater
In general, treatment should be continued until bacterial conversion and maximal improvement have occurred. Patients should be given the medication in the following way 1 or 2 hours after the meals with a glass full of water.
- Patients weighing less than 44 kg - 4 tablets
- Patients weighing between 45-54 kg - 5 tablets
- Patients weighing more than 55 kg - 6 tablets
The ratio of Rifater is not appropriate for patients under 15 years of age. Take the medication as prescribed by the doctor. Usually it should be followed for 2 months of time.
Interactions
Total of 676 drugs, 2 Alcohol/Foods and 17 diseases are known to interact with Rifater. Some of the major drug interactions are given below:
- Atazanavir
- Boceprevir
- Clopidogrel
- Delavirdine
- Fosamprenavir
- Halofantrine
- Lurasidone
Alcohol interacts with the active ingredients of Rifater, thus increasing the risk of liver damage during the treatment. Histamine rich food such as fish (Tuna) or cheese may cause a flushing reaction in some of the patients. Some of the diseases interacting with Rifater are:
- Colitis
- Hematopoietic Disturbances
- Hepatotoxicity
- Liver Disease
- Porphyria
- Enzyme Induction
- Peripheral Neuropathy
- Hemodialysis
- Renal Dysfunction
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Hemodialysis
- Gout
Contact your Doctor before you buy Rifater, in case of any allergies and past medical history. Blood tests should be done to check the liver functioning before starting the treatment.
