Accidental severe immunoallergy in a patient taking rifampicin daily for two months

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.