Rifabutin is an antibiotic drug primarily used in the treatment of tuberculosis. The drug is a derivative of rifamycin S.

History

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Scientists at the Italian drug company Achifar discovered rifabutin around June 1975. Eventually Archifar became part of Farmitalia Carlo Erba, a unit of the conglomerate Montedison. This company's Adria Laboratories subsidiary filed for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of rifabutin under the brand name Mycobutin® in the early 1990s. The drug gained FDA approval in December 1992.

Other indications

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Rifabutin is used in the treatment of mycobacterium avium complex disease, a most commonly AIDS-related bacterial infection.

Supply

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Rifabutin is now sold in the U.S. market by Pfizer.

External links

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• U.S. Patent 3,150,046 to Achifar.

Rifamycin antibiotics