Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my rifampin

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your rifampin using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for rifampin, Canadian Prescription Savings for rifampin, rifampin Drug Coupons, rifampin Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is rifampin available in?

Accepted Answer

rifampin is available as a 150 mg and 300 mg oral capsule.

Question 3

What is rifampin used for?

Accepted Answer

rifampin is a rifamycin antibiotic that is used to treat:z Tuberculosis (TB) Meningococcal carriers (when there’s bacteria living in the nose and/or throat, but not causing infection)

Question 4

How does rifampin work?

Accepted Answer

rifampin is a rifamycin antibiotic. It blocks an enzyme (protein) the bacteria need to eventually make proteins, so the bacteria can’t grow and spread.

Question 5

How do I take rifampin?

Accepted Answer

The dose of rifampin will be based on your age and weight. It is typically 5 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg (up to 600 mg per dose),once a day.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take rifampin?

Accepted Answer

rifampin is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have a history of hypersensitivity to rifampin or any of the components, or to any of the rifamycins.

rifampin is contraindicated in patients who are also receiving ritonavir-boosted saquinavir due to an increased risk of severe hepatocellular toxicity. rifampin is contraindicated in patients who are also receiving atazanavir, darunavir,
fosamprenavir, saquinavir, or tipranavir due to the potential of rifampin to substantially decrease plasma concentrations of these antiviral drugs, which may result in loss of antiviral efficacy and/or development of viral resistance. rifampin is contraindicated in patients receiving praziquantel since therapeutically effective blood levels of praziquantel may not be achieved. In patients receiving rifampin who need immediate treatment with praziquantel alternative agents should be considered. However, if treatment with praziquantel is necessary, rifampin should be discontinued
weeks before administration of praziquantel. Treatment with rifampin can then be restarted one day after completion of praziquantel treatment. rifampin is contraindicated in patients receiving lurasidone. Concomitant use of lurasidone
with strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., rifampin) decreased the exposure of lurasidone compared to the use of lurasidone alone.

Question 7

rifampin Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of rifampin:  Temporary change in color (orange/yellow) of body fluids and teeth Upset stomach Diarrhea Headache Fever Nervous system problems affecting energy, movement, thinking, or behavior Nerve pain or numbness

Question 8

rifampin Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with rifampin. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.  Allergic reaction: fever, rash, swelling of your lips or tongue, trouble breathing Serious bleeds: bruising easily, blood in the urine or stool, bleeding that’s difficult to stop Liver problems: loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, dark urine, or yellowing of the eyes or skin

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on rifampin

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with rifampin:  Antiretrovirals: Concomitant use is contraindicated. Drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters affected by rifampin include cytochromes P450 (CYP) 1A2, 2B6, 2C8, 2C9, 2C19, and 3A4, UDP-glucuronyltransferases (UGT) sulfotransferases, carboxylesterases, and transporters including P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2). Most drugs are substrates for one or more of these enzyme or transporter pathways and these pathways may be induced by rifampin simultaneously. Therefore, rifampin may increase the metabolism and decrease the activity of certain coadministered drugs or increase the activity of a coadministered pro-drug (where metabolic activation is required), and has the potential to perpetuate clinically important drug-drug interactions against many drugs and across many drug classes

Question 10

Who makes rifampin?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is rifampin safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Based on animal data, rifampin may cause fetal harm. You should talk to your healthcare provider before taking this medication if you are pregnant. rifampin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Question 12

What is the brand name for rifampin?

Accepted Answer

RIFADIN

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my rifampin prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your rifampin prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient rifampin savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient rifampin savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for rifampin	Canadian Prescription Savings* for rifampin	rifampin Drug Coupon*	rifampin Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of rifampin?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for rifampin	Canadian Prescription Savings* for rifampin	rifampin Drug Coupon*	rifampin Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the rifampin savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the rifampin drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for rifampin, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the rifampin prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, rifampin is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed rifampin for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the rifampin prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the rifampin prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for rifampin

If you are having trouble paying for your rifampin medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for rifampin you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
rifampin is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers rifampin
If rifampin is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for rifampin

If you are having trouble paying for your rifampin medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for rifampin you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers rifampin
If rifampin is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for rifampin

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your rifampin treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for rifampin you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for rifampin
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.