Rifapentine (Priftin; DL 473) is an antibiotic compound used in the treatment of tuberculosis. Target: Antibacterial Rifapentine inhibits DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity in susceptible cells. Specifically, it interacts with bacterial RNA polymerase but does not inhibit the mammalian enzyme. A review of alternative regimens for prevention of active tuberculosis in HIV-negative individuals with latent TB found that a weekly, directly observed regimen of rifapentine with isoniazid for three months was as effective as a daily, self -administered regimen of isoniazid for nine months. But the rifapentine-isoniazid regimen had higher rates of treatment completion and lower rates of hepatotoxicity . However the rates of treatment-limiting adverse events were higher in the rifapentine-isoniazid regimen [1].

• [1]. Sharma, S.K., et al., Rifamycins (rifampicin, rifabutin and rifapentine) compared to isoniazid for preventing tuberculosis in HIV-negative people at risk of active TB. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2013. 7: p. CD007545.