Definition of "rifampin" [rifampin]

• A semisynthetic antibiotic derived from a form of rifamycin that interferes with the synthesis of RNA and is used to treat bacterial and viral diseases. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "They took the line out—and for good measure, they switched him to a different new drug, linezolid, and added an old drug called rifampin as well."
• "In addition, antibiotics (such as rifampin, ceftriaxone or ciprofloxacin) should be used for all children who have come in close contact with someone who was infected."
• "Therapy with antihistamines may provide some relief, but many patients require additional therapy with agents such as rifampin or naltrexone."