Rifamycin
Rifamycin
Rifamycin (pronounced: rifa-mycin) is a type of antibiotic that is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections. It belongs to a class of drugs known as rifamycin group.
Etymology
The term "Rifamycin" is derived from the name of the bacteria Streptomyces mediterranei from which it was first isolated in the 1950s. The bacteria was found in a soil sample from the French Riviera (Riviera in French), hence the name "Rifamycin".
Usage
Rifamycin is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, including tuberculosis, leprosy, and Legionnaire's disease. It works by inhibiting the RNA polymerase of the bacteria, thereby preventing the bacteria from synthesizing proteins necessary for its survival.
Related Terms
- Rifampicin: A derivative of rifamycin, used to treat tuberculosis.
- Rifabutin: Another derivative of rifamycin, used to prevent Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) in people with HIV infection.
- Rifaximin: A non-absorbable antibiotic derived from rifamycin, used to treat traveler's diarrhea and hepatic encephalopathy.
Side Effects
Like all antibiotics, rifamycin can cause side effects. These may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in the color of body fluids.
Precautions
Before using rifamycin, patients should inform their healthcare provider if they have a history of liver disease, kidney disease, or porphyria.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Rifamycin
- Wikipedia's article - Rifamycin
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski