Rifampicin, a crucial semi-synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic, is primarily used in the treatment of tuberculosis and other infections caused by susceptible bacteria. 

Basic Information

• Product Name: Rifampicin (Abbreviated as RFP)

• CAS Number: 13292-46-1

• Molecular Formula: C43H58N4O12

• Molecular Weight: 822.94 (some sources may list it as 822.95, but the difference is minimal due to rounding or precision)

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Rifampicin is typically an orange-red crystalline powder or brick-red crystals. It is light-sensitive and prone to degradation upon exposure to light.

• Solubility: Highly soluble in DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) and methanol, slightly soluble in water.

Chemical Properties

• Stability: Rifampicin should be stored and used under light-protected conditions due to its sensitivity to light.

• Reactivity: Rifampicin exerts its antibacterial effect by strongly binding to DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, inhibiting its activity, and thereby blocking bacterial RNA synthesis.

Pharmacological Properties

• Antibacterial Spectrum: Rifampicin possesses a broad antibacterial spectrum, demonstrating potent activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae, atypical mycobacteria, and a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

• Mechanism of Action: By inhibiting the bacterial RNA polymerase, specifically the β-subunit of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, Rifampicin disrupts the initiation phase of bacterial RNA synthesis, ultimately inhibiting bacterial growth.