Rifampicin Prophylaxis for Menigococcal Disease

Rifampicin regimen for family contacts of meningococcal meningitis.

Cautions and side-effects  

DOSE SHOULD BE GIVEN 30 MINUTES BEFORE OR 2 HOURS AFTER A MEAL.

ADULTS: 600mg TWICE DAILY FOR TWO DAYS
We are using 300 mg tablets, so that is 2 tablets twice daily

CHILDREN: 10mg/kg bd for TWO days (maximum 600 mg bd)

PREGNANCY:

    IF > 15 YRS CEFTRIAXONE 250MG I/M X 1
    IF < 15 YRS CEFTRIAXONE 125 MG I/M X 1

Children's Dose table: the dose should be based on accurate weight measurements where possible.

Age (yrs) Av wt (kg) Rifampicin (mg) Dose (mls) Dispense (mls)
1 (yrs) 10 (yrs) 120(mg) 6 mls 24 mls
3 (yrs) 14 (yrs) 140(mg) 7 mls 28 mls
4 (yrs) 16 (yrs) 160(mg) 8 mls 32 mls
5 (yrs) 18(yrs) 180(mg) 9 mls 36 mls
6 (yrs) 20(yrs) 200(mg) 10 mls 40 mls
7 (yrs) 22(yrs) 220(mg) 11 mls 44 mls
8 (yrs) 25(yrs) 250(mg) 12.5 mls 50 mls
9 (yrs) 28(yrs) 280(mg) 14 mls 56 mls
10 (yrs) 31(yrs) 300(mg) 15 mls 60 mls
11-13 (yrs) 35-45(yrs) 450(mg) 3 X 150 MG TABS 12 X 150 MG
14 + (yrs)   ADULT DOSE    

Cautions and side-effects of rifampicin

  1. Rifampicin turns body secretions, stools and urine a bright orange colour. It stains soft contact lenses, and the stain is permanent.
  2. Up to 20% of patients may have nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and anorexia.
  3. Occasional patients will have headache, dizziness, drowsiness or a rash.
  4. Rifampicin is not indicated in pregnancy
    It may make the contraceptive pill less effective, so other means of birth control should be used for the rest of the current and following cycle.
  5. Relatively contraindicated in liver disease.
  6. It interacts with antiepileptics, warfarin and theophylline and levels may need to be checked.