BACKGROUND: Rifampicin is a major drug used for the treatment of mycobacter
ial infections. It is usually well tolerated although cases of immunoallerg
ic events have been reported in discontinuous regimens.
CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 55-year-old man who developed a revere
drug reaction after taking rifampicin daily for two months with no interru
ption. The clinical course was favorable after drug withdrawal. Challenge w
ith other antituberculous drugs did not induce any adverse reaction.
CONCLUSION: Despite the few cases reported, antituberculous regimens contai
ning rifampicin can cause severe adverse reactions which subside progressiv
ely after drug withdrawal.