Rifabutin

Rifabutin (Rfb) is a bactericidal antibiotic drug primarily used in the treatment of tuberculosis. The drug is a semi-synthetic derivative of rifamycin S. Its effect is based on blocking the DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase of the bacteria. It is effective against Gram-positive and some Gram-negative bacteria, but also against the highly resistant mycobacteria, e.g. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. leprae, and M. avium intracellulare.

It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medication needed in a basic health system.

Medical uses

Rifabutin is now recommended as first-line treatment for tuberculosis, but rifampicin is more widely used because of its cheaper cost.

Rifabutin is used in the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex disease, a bacterial infection most commonly encountered in late-stage AIDS patients. Its main usefulness lies in the fact that it has lesser drug interactions than rifampicin; therefore HIV infected patients on HAART are usually given rifabutin for treatment of TB.