This medication is used with other medications to treat active tuberculosis (TB) of the lungs. It may also be used with another medication (isoniazid) to prevent active TB infections in people who are infected with the bacteria (people with positive TB skin test). Rifapentine is known as a rifamycin antibiotic. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria.

This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu). Using any antibiotic when it is not needed can cause it to not work for future infections.

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking rifapentine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with food as directed by your doctor, usually once or twice weekly. Taking this medication with food will help to decrease side effects such as stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting and also increase the absorption of this medication.

The dosage is based on your weight, medical condition, and response to treatment.

For the best effect, take this antibiotic at evenly spaced times. To help you remember, take it on the same day(s) and time each week. Mark your calendar with a reminder.

Continue to take this medication (and other TB medications) until the full prescribed amount is finished, even if symptoms disappear. Stopping the medication too early or skipping doses may result in a return of the infection and cause the infection to be more difficult to treat (resistant).

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or headache may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

This medication may cause urine, sweat, saliva, or tears to turn reddish. This effect is harmless and will disappear when the medication is stopped. However, dentures and contact lenses may be permanently stained.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

• symptoms of liver disease (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, unusual tiredness/weakness, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine)
• painful/swollen joints
• dark/bloody urine
• easy bleeding/bruising
• unusual tiredness

This medication may rarely cause a severe intestinal condition due to a bacteria called C. difficile. This condition may occur during treatment or weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Tell your doctor right away if you develop:

• diarrhea that doesn't stop
• abdominal or stomach pain/cramping
• blood/mucus in your stool

If you have these symptoms, do not use anti-diarrhea or opioid products because they may make symptoms worse.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• fever that doesn't go away
• new or worsening lymph node swelling
• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking rifapentine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other rifamycins (such as rifampin); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• HIV infection
• a certain blood disorder (porphyria)
• liver disease
• alcohol use

Alcohol may increase the risk of liver disease. Avoid alcoholic beverages while using this medication.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Rifapentine may cause live bacterial vaccines (such as typhoid vaccine) to not work well. Tell your health care professional that you are using rifapentine before having any immunizations/vaccinations.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. When this drug is taken during the last few weeks of pregnancy, the risk of bleeding in both mother and infant may be increased. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any bleeding in your newborn. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if rifapentine passes into breast milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Rifapentine can speed up the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include asunaprevir, digoxin, phenytoin, ranolazine, tacrolimus, "blood thinners" (such as warfarin), calcium channel blockers (such as diltiazem, verapamil), HIV NNRTIs (such as etravirine, nevirapine), HIV protease inhibitors (such as atazanavir, darunavir), among others.

This medication may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you should use reliable backup birth control methods while using this medication. Also tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these may be signs that your birth control is not working well.

This medication may interfere with certain lab tests (such as folate and vitamin B12 levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669.

Do not share this medication with others.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as sputum test, liver function, bilirubin levels, complete blood count) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

It is important to take each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose and remember on the same day, take it as soon as you remember. If you remember on the next day or later, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.