Overview
This lecture focuses on Rifampin, an antibiotic that inhibits nucleic acid synthesis in bacteria, especially for treating tuberculosis (TB).
Rifampin Overview
- Rifampin belongs to the rifamycin class and is a semisynthetic antibiotic.
- It is effective against gram-positive and some gram-negative bacteria.
- Rifampin is mainly used to treat mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium causing tuberculosis (TB).
- It can reach and kill TB bacteria hiding inside macrophages during latent infections.
- Rifampin is primarily used in combination with other drugs for TB treatment.
Mechanism of Action
- Rifampin inhibits the bacterial enzyme RNA polymerase, preventing the conversion of DNA into RNA.
- Human and bacterial RNA polymerases are structurally different, so Rifampin is selectively toxic to bacteria.
Side Effects and Monitoring
- Rifampin may cause elevated liver enzymes, requiring regular liver function monitoring during TB treatment.
- TB treatment with Rifampin is long-term, increasing the importance of ongoing monitoring.
- Rifampin causes harmless orange-red discoloration of body fluids (urine, sweat, semen, etc.).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Rifamycin — Class of antibiotics to which Rifampin belongs.
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis — Bacteria that causes tuberculosis.
- RNA polymerase — Enzyme that transcribes DNA into RNA; target of Rifampin.
- Selective toxicity — Drug affects microbes but not human cells.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Monitor liver function tests regularly during Rifampin treatment.
- Expect orange-red discoloration of body fluids as a side effect.
- Watch for upcoming lectures on other anti-tubercular drugs.