Rifampicin
Description of Rifampicin
1. General Information
Chemical Name: 3-[[(4-Methyl-1-piperazinyl)imino]methyl]-rifamycin
Molecular Formula: C43H58N4O12
Molecular Weight: 822.95
Appearance: Bright red or dark red crystalline powder, odorless
Solubility: Soluble in methanol, almost insoluble in water.
2. Pharmacological Action
Rifampicin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the rifamycin family. It inhibits bacterial RNA synthesis by firmly binding to the β-subunit of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, preventing the enzyme from binding to DNA and thus blocking the RNA transcription process. This mechanism results in bactericidal effects against a variety of bacteria, including:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium leprae
Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis)
Other pathogens (e.g., Legionella, Chlamydia)
