Rifabutin (3 brand names, 2 dosage forms, 1 route)
Available dosage forms: CAPSULE, CAPSULE, DELAYED RELEASE.
Routes of administration: ORAL.
Brand Names
- MYCOBUTIN
- RIFABUTIN
- TALICIA
Indications and Usage
Rifabutin capsules are indicated for the prevention of disseminated Mycobacterium aviumcomplex (MAC) disease in patients with advanced HIV infection.
Dosage and Administration
It is recommended that rifabutin capsules be administered at a dose of 300 mg once daily. For those patients with propensity to nausea, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal upset, administration of rifabutin at doses of 150 mg twice daily taken with food may be useful. Doses of rifabutin may be administered mixed with foods such as applesauce. For patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min), consider reducing the dose of rifabutin by 50%, if toxicity is suspected. No dosage adjustment is required for patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. Reduction of the dose of rifabutin may also be needed for patients receiving concomitant treatment with certain other drugs (see PRECAUTIONS- Drug Interactions). Mild hepatic impairment does not require a dose modification. The pharmacokinetics of rifabutin in patients with moderate and severe hepatic impairment is not known.
Contraindications
Rifabutin capsules are contraindicated in patients who have had clinically significant hypersensitivity to rifabutin or to any other rifamycins. Rifabutin capsules are contraindicated in patients being treated with cabotegravir/rilpivirine prolonged-release injectable suspension (see PRECAUTIONS-Drug Interactions, Table 2).
Adverse Reactions
Adverse Reactions from Clinical Trials Rifabutin capsules were generally well tolerated in the controlled clinical trials. Discontinuation of therapy due to an adverse event was required in 16% of patients receiving rifabutin, compared to 8% of patients receiving placebo in these trials. Primary reasons for discontinuation of rifabutin were rash (4% of treated patients), gastrointestinal intolerance (3%), and neutropenia (2%). The following table enumerates adverse experiences that occurred at a frequency of 1% or greater, among the patients treated with rifabutin in studies 023 and 027. Table: 3 Clinical Adverse Experiences Reported in ≥1% of Patients Treated With Rifabutin Adverse event Rifabutin (n = 566) % Placebo (n = 580) % Body as a whole Abdominal pain 4 3 Asthenia 1 1 Chest pain 1 1 Fever 2 1 Headache 3 5 Pain 1 2 Blood and lymphatic system Leucopenia 10 7 Anemia 1 2 Digestive System Anorexia 2 2 Diarrhea 3 3 Dyspepsia 3 1 Eructation 3 1 Flatulence 2 1 Nausea 6 5 Nausea and vomiting 3 2 Vomiting 1 1 Musculoskeletal system Myalgia 2 1 Nervous system Insomnia 1 1 Skin and appendages Rash 11 8 Special senses Taste perversion 3 1 Urogenital system Discolored urine 30 6 CLINICAL ADVERSE EVENTS REPORTED IN <1% OF PATIENTS WHO RECEIVED RIFABUTIN Considering data from the 023 and 027 pivotal trials, and from other clinical studies, rifabutin appears to be a likely cause of the following adverse events which occurred in less than 1% of treated patients: flu-like syndrome, hepatitis, hemolysis, arthralgia, myositis, chest pressure or pain with dyspnea, skin discoloration, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia and jaundice. The following adverse events have occurred in more than one patient receiving rifabutin, but an etiologic role has not been established: seizure, paresthesia, aphasia, confusion, and non-specific T wave changes on electrocardiogram. When rifabutin was administered at doses from 1050 mg/day to 2400 mg/day, generalized arthralgia and uveitis were reported.
Drug Interactions
Effect of Rifabutin on the Pharmacokinetics of Other Drugs Rifabutin induces CYP3A enzymes and therefore may reduce the plasma concentrations of drugs metabolized by those enzymes. This effect may reduce the efficacy of standard doses of such drugs, which include itraconazole, clarithromycin, and saquinavir. Effect of Other Drugs on Rifabutin Pharmacokinetics Some drugs that inhibit CYP3A may significantly increase the plasma concentration of rifabutin. Therefore, carefully monitor for rifabutin associated adverse events in those patients also receiving CYP3A inhibitors, which include fluconazole and clarithromycin. In some cases, the dosage of rifabutin may need to be reduced when it is co-administered with CYP3A inhibitors. Table 2 summarizes the results and magnitude of the pertinent drug interactions assessed with rifabutin. The clinical relevance of these interactions and subsequent dose modifications should be judged in light of the population studied, severity of the disease, patient’s drug profile, and the likely impact on the risk/benefit ratio. Table 2 Rifabutin Interaction Studies Co-administered drug Dosing regimen of co-administered drug Dosing regimen of rifabutin Study population (n) Effect on rifabutin Effect on co-administered drug Recommendation ANTIRETROVIRALS Amprenavir 1200 mg twice a day for 10 days 300 mg once a day for 10 days Healthy male subjects (6) ↑ AUC by 193%, ↑ C maxby 119% Reduce rifabutin dose by at least 50%. Monitor closely for adverse reactions. Atazanavir/ Ritonavir 300/100 mg once daily 150 mg twice weekly Healthy adult subjects 48% ↑ in AUC, 149% ↑ C maxof rifabutin. 990% ↑ in AUC, 677%↑ C maxof25-O-desacetyl-rifabutin. No significant change in pharmacokinetics A reduction in the dose of rifabutin (to 150 mg every other day or 3 times a week) is recommended. Increased monitoring for adverse reactions is warranted. Bictegravir 75 mg once a day 300 mg once a day (fasted) Healthy subjects ND ↓ AUC 38% ↓ C min56% ↓ C max20% Co-adm
Overdosage
No information is available on accidental overdosage in humans. Treatment While there is no experience in the treatment of overdose with rifabutin capsules, clinical experience with rifamycins suggests that gastric lavage to evacuate gastric contents (within a few hours of overdose), followed by instillation of an activated charcoal slurry into the stomach, may help absorb any remaining drug from the gastrointestinal tract. Rifabutin is 85% protein bound and distributed extensively into tissues (Vss:8 to 9 L/kg). It is not primarily excreted via the urinary route (less than 10% as unchanged drug); therefore, neither hemodialysis nor forced diuresis is expected to enhance the systemic elimination of unchanged rifabutin from the body in a patient with an overdose of rifabutin.