rifampin

noun

ri·​fam·​pin rī-ˈfam-pən How to pronounce rifampin (audio)
variants or rifampicin
: a semisynthetic antibiotic C43H58N4O12 used especially in the treatment of tuberculosis and to treat asymptomatic carriers of meningococci

Examples of rifampin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Note:To be specific, XDR-TB is resistant to the two first-line drugs, isoniazid and rifampin, used to treat TB initially, plus any fluoroquinolone and at least one of three injectable second-line drugs (i.e., amikacin, kanamycin, or capreomycin). Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2013 Even those who have been vaccinated against bacterial meningitis should still get antibiotic treatment, such as ciprofloxacin and rifampin. Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 27 Jan. 2022 The sole exception is rifampin, a tuberculosis antibiotic that is rarely used. Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2021 The only exception is rifampin, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis. Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2021 Extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) is a form of MDR-TB that is resistant to isoniazid and rifampin, in addition to fluoroquinolones and injectable second-line drugs. Cnn Editorial Research, CNN, 6 June 2021 In the past decade, scientists have come up with two shorter courses: a drug called rifampin taken every day for four months; or a combination of isoniazid and rifapentine, taken once weekly for three months. Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 23 Sep. 2019 Research has found that the antibiotic rifampin, which is used to treat tuberculosis, and griseofulvin, a drug used to treat fungal infections, may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control pills. Korin Miller, SELF, 27 July 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rifampin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary, alteration of rifamycin, antibiotic derived from Streptomyces mediterranei

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rifampin was in 1966

Dictionary Entries Near rifampin

Cite this Entry

“Rifampin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rifampin. Accessed 4 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

rifampin

noun
ri·​fam·​pin rī-ˈfam-pən How to pronounce rifampin (audio)
variants or rifampicin
: a semisynthetic antibiotic C43H58N4O12 that is used especially in the treatment of tuberculosis and to treat asymptomatic carriers of meningococci

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