Chemicals and Drugs

Rifampin

A semisynthetic antibiotic produced from Streptomyces mediterranei. It has a broad antibacterial spectrum, including activity against several forms of Mycobacterium. In susceptible organisms it inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity by forming a stable complex with the enzyme. It thus suppresses the initiation of RNA synthesis. Rifampin is bactericidal, and acts on both intracellular and extracellular organisms. (From Gilman et al., Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed, p1160)

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A semisynthetic antibiotic produced from Streptomyces mediterranei. It has a broad antibacterial spectrum, including activity against several forms of Mycobacterium. In susceptible organisms it inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity by forming a stable complex with the enzyme. It thus suppresses the initiation of RNA synthesis. Rifampin is bactericidal, and acts on both intracellular and extracellular organisms. (From Gilman et al., Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed, p1160)

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

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Drug Class

Pharmacological Action

MeSH Record

Synonyms

6 entry terms
  • Benemycin
  • Rifampicin
  • Rifadin
  • Rimactan
  • Rimactane
  • Tubocin

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

25 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analogs & derivatives, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

73

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Rifamycins (1966-1972)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QV 268

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Rifampin. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D012293. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D012293
  2. Rifampin. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rifampicin
  3. Rifampin. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q422652