Rifampin is an antibiotic. Rifampin prevents bacteria from spreading in your body. Rifampin is used to treat or prevent tuberculosis (TB). Rifampin may also be used to eliminate a bacteria from your nose and throat that may cause meningitis or other infections, even if you do not have an infection. Rifampin prevents you from spreading this bacteria to other people, but the medication will not treat an infection caused by the bacteria. Rifampin may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Rifadin treats all forms of tuberculosis, and it also treats patients who carry the meningitis bacteria in their throat or nose, but it does not treat meningitis. It may spread the bacteria to others. Rifadin works by inhibiting the growth of sensitive bacteria. This drug is a Rifamycin antibiotic. Rifadin is not listed for therapy in a meningitis infection due to the rapid emergence of resistant organisms in a meningococcal infection.