Headache rifampicin

Ethosuximide Reduces low threshold Ca2+ currents (T-type) Well absorbed orally, with peak levels in 3-7 h not protein-bound completely metabolized to inactive compounds tjy2 typically 40 h Absence seizures Toxicity Nausea, headache, dizziness, hyperactivity Interactions Valproate, phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampicin... 

The adverse effects of amprenavir in patients treated with combination therapy included nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, epigastric pain, flatulence, paresthesia, headache, rash, and fatigue (4). The contribution of a single drug to the observed adverse effects is difficult to establish. Amprenavir inhibits CYP3A4 to a greater extent than saquinavir, and to a much lesser extent than ritonavir (5). Co-administration with rifampicin and rifabutin should be avoided. Those who take... 

A flu-like illness, with fever, headache, malaise, and bone pain, can occur shortly after the administration of rifampicin, and was observed in a man who had taken rifampicin 600 mg monthly for multibacillary leprosy (10). However, the reaction usually occurs with higher doses given weekly or twice weekly. The usual procedure is to reduce the dose or increase the frequency of treatment. Antipyretic drugs can be used to provide symptomatic relief. 

Rifampicin is widely used in tuberculous and meningococcal meningitis, since it passes into the cerebrospinal fluid (21). Rifampicin-induced neurological effects include drowsiness, headache, dizziness, ataxia, generalized numbness, pain in the extremities, muscular weakness, confusion, inability to concentrate, delusions, disorientation, hallucinations, and agitation (1,22). 

Severe overdosage has been observed in inadvertent administration of an excessive dose of rifampicin in children (93) and also in suicide attempts (94,95). It can also occur when there is impaired hepatic function or severe renal insufficiency. Symptoms are nausea, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and pruritus. 

Farmers, shepherds, veterinarians and slaughtermen are at risk in endemic areas. Human infection is related to handling contaminated animals or ingesting milk and cheese that is contaminated and unpasteurised. Occupational injuries are another mode of entry. The skin manifestations are nonspecific and range from a maculopapular eruption to petechiae, which occur in less than 5% of patients. A chronic ulcer may develop at the site of inoculation or injury. Systemic symptoms include chills, high fever, headache and extreme weakness. The treatment of choice is a combination of doxycycline (100 mg twice per day) and rifampicin (300 mg 3 times per day) for 6 weeks. 

A brief, but interesting communication from the United States described the incidence of adverse effects in 61 healthy subjects who elected to take rifampicin prophyl-actically after being in close contact with a patient who died of meningococcal meningitis. Only 18 of the 61 people reported no adverse reactions. The dosage used was 600 mg every 12 hours for 4 doses. Six of the subjects were unable to take all 4 doses because of side effects. The commonest reactions were nausea, headache, dizziness and vomiting (24 ). 

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