Rifampin-Associated Renal Failure

Rifampin is an effective and widely used for the treatment of both active and latent tuberculosis. Although significant side effects are rare, severe side effects such as acute renal failure have been reported in the literature, usually secondary to acute interstitial nephritis. We report a case of rifampin-induced acute renal failure due to heme pigment–related injury in a patient who was receiving daily rifampin as therapy for latent tuberculosis. The patient case illustrates considering rifampin as a potential cause of acute renal failure when no other cause is identified.