Priftin Side Effects
Generic name: rifapentine
Medically reviewed by drugclasses.com. Last updated on Jan 22, 2024.
Note: This document contains side effect information about rifapentine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Priftin.
Applies to rifapentine: oral tablet.
Serious side effects of Priftin
Along with its needed effects, rifapentine (the active ingredient contained in Priftin) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rifapentine:
More common
- Black, tarry stools
- chills
- cough
- coughing up blood
- fever
- hoarseness
- lower back or side pain
- painful or difficult urination
- pale skin
- skin rash
- sore throat
- trouble breathing with exertion
- ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
- Bleeding gums
- blood in the urine or stools
- burning, dry, or itching eyes
- excessive tearing of the eye
- eye pain
- fast heartbeat
- general feeling of illness
- headache
- hives, itching
- irritation
- joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- loss of appetite
- pinpoint red spots on the skin
- redness of the skin
- swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
- swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
- tightness in the chest
- trouble breathing or swallowing
- weight loss
Rare
- Anxiety
- bloating
- blue or pale skin
- burning feeling in the chest or stomach
- burning, tingling, numbness, or pain in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
- chest pain, possibly moving to the left arm, neck, or shoulder
- cloudy or dark urine
- cold sweat
- collection of blood under the skin
- confusion
- constipation
- deep, dark purple bruise
- dizziness, fainting, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- dry mouth
- fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- heartburn
- indigestion
- itching in the genital or other skin areas
- lack or loss of strength
- light-colored stools
- muscle pain
- nausea
- noisy breathing
- pain in the lower back or side
- pain or burning in the throat
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- right upper stomach pain and fullness
- scaling of the skin
- seizures
- stabbing pain
- stomach upset
- tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins over the affected area
- thick, white vaginal discharge with mild or no odor
- thickening of bronchial secretions
- thirst
- vaginal bleeding
- voice changes
- vomiting
- yellow skin or eyes
Incidence not known
- Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- diarrhea
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- sensitivity of the skin to the sun
- thinning of the skin
Other side effects of Priftin
Some side effects of rifapentine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Increased sweating
Less common
- Belching
- difficulty in moving
Rare
- Discoloration of the skin
- drowsiness
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to rifapentine: oral tablet.
General
The most common side effects with the regimen for active pulmonary tuberculosis included anemia, lymphopenia, hemoptysis, neutropenia, cough, thrombocytosis, increased sweating, increased ALT, increased AST, back pain, rash, anorexia, arthralgia, increased blood urea, and headache. The most common side effect with the regimen for latent tuberculosis infection was hypersensitivity reaction.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Frequency not reported: Tachycardia, palpitation, orthostatic hypotension, pericarditis, hematoma, thrombosis, flushing, hypotension[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Increased sweating/hyperhidrosis, rash, pruritus/itching, maculopapular rash
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Skin reaction
Frequency not reported: Purpura, urticaria, skin discoloration, angioedema
Postmarketing reports: Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (e.g., Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms [DRESS] syndrome)[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, dyspepsia, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
Frequency not reported: Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea, gastritis, esophagitis, pancreatitis, salivary gland enlargement, constipation, dry mouth, esophageal irritation[Ref]
Genitourinary
Frequency not reported: Hematuria, vaginitis, vaginal hemorrhage, leukorrhea, vulvovaginal candidiasis, vulvovaginal pruritus[Ref]
Hematologic
Very common (10% or more): Anemia (up to 11.4%), lymphopenia (up to 10.5%)
Common (1% to 10%): Neutropenia, thrombocytosis, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, lymphadenopathy
Frequency not reported: Leukopenia, lymphocytosis[Ref]
Hepatic
Common (1% to 10%): Increased ALT, increased AST, hepatotoxicity
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatitis
Frequency not reported: Bilirubinemia, hepatomegaly, jaundice[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity/hypersensitivity reaction (including hypotension, urticaria, angioedema, acute bronchospasm, conjunctivitis; OR weakness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, aches, sweats, dizziness, shortness of breath, flushing, chills)
Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia
Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, gout, hyperkalemia, decreased appetite, hyperlipidemia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, arthralgia
Frequency not reported: Arthritis, myalgia/muscle pain, myositis, rhabdomyolysis[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness
Frequency not reported: Somnolence, convulsion, paresthesia, peripheral neuropathy, syncope[Ref]
Ocular
Common (1% to 10%): Conjunctivitis[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Fever/pyrexia
Frequency not reported: Increased alkaline phosphatase, asthenia, facial edema, fungal infection, abortion, death, fatigue, chest pain, chills, feeling jittery, viral infection, aches, body fluid discoloration, weakness, influenza-like syndrome
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Anxiety, confusion, depression, disorientation, suicidal ideation[Ref]
Renal
Common (1% to 10%): Increased blood urea
Frequency not reported: Azotemia[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Hemoptysis, coughing/cough
Frequency not reported: Dysphonia, dyspnea/shortness of breath, pneumonitis, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, bronchospasm, laryngeal edema, laryngitis, pharyngitis, oropharyngeal pain, bronchial hyperactivity, epistaxis, acute bronchospasm[Ref]
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References
1. (2020) "Product Information. Priftin (rifapentine)." sanofi-aventis, SUPPL-18
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.