The Basics
What is Rifabutin?
Used to treat tuberculosis and prevent and treat Mycobacterium avium complex.
Brand names for Rifabutin
Mycobutin
How Rifabutin is classified
Antitubercular Agents, Leprostatic Agents, Rifamycins
Rifabutin During Pregnancy
Rifabutin pregnancy category
Category BNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Rifabutin while pregnant
Rifabutin should be used in pregnant women only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Reproduction studies have been carried out in rats and rabbits given rifabutin using dose levels up to 200 mg/kg (about 6 to 13 times the recommended human daily dose based on body surface area comparisons). No teratogenicity was observed in either species. In rats, given 200 mg/kg/day, (about 6 times the recommended human daily dose based on body surface area comparisons), there was a decrease in fetal viability. In rats, at 40 mg/kg/day (approximately equivalent to the recommended human daily dose based on body surface area comparisons), rifabutin caused an increase in fetal skeletal variants. In rabbits, at 80 mg/kg/day (about 5 times the recommended human daily dose based on body surface area comparisons), rifabutin caused maternotoxicity and increase in fetal skeletal anomalies. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, rifabutin should be used in pregnant women only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Taking Rifabutin While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Rifabutin?
The amount of rifabutin in milk is insufficient to treat tuberculosis in the breastfed infant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other professional organizations state that breastfeeding should not be discouraged in women taking rifabutin.[1][2][3]
Maternal / infant drug levels
The amount of rifabutin in milk is insufficient to treat tuberculosis in the breastfed infant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other professional organizations state that breastfeeding should not be discouraged in women taking rifabutin.[1][2][3]
Possible effects of Rifabutin on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Rifabutin
Rifampin.
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Blumberg HM, Burman WJ, Chaisson RE et al. American Thoracic Society/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Infectious Diseases Society of America: treatment of tuberculosis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2003;167:603-62. PMID: 12588714
2. Anon. Treatment of tuberculosis. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2003;52:1-77. PMID: 12836625
3. Bartlett JG. Guidelines section. Infect Dis Clin Pract. 2002;11:467-71. DOI: doi:10.1097/01.idc.0000086415.30743.15
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
