Rifampin therapy commonly causes discoloration of which substances?

Rifampin therapy commonly causes discoloration of which substances?

• A. Urine, saliva, tears, and sputum
• B. Blood, sweat, and saliva
• C. Cerebrospinal fluid and tears
• D. Stools and sweat

Answer: (A)

Rifampin has a vivid orange pigment that is excreted in bodily fluids, so it commonly colors several secretions. This makes urine, saliva, tears, and sputum appear orange or reddish-brown. The effect can also color sweat and even stain contact lenses. It’s a harmless effect and doesn’t indicate toxicity. Other fluids such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid aren’t typically discolored by rifampin, and stools aren’t a usual site of this pigment, which is why those options aren’t the typical pattern.

Rifampin has a vivid orange pigment that is excreted in bodily fluids, so it commonly colors several secretions. This makes urine, saliva, tears, and sputum appear orange or reddish-brown. The effect can also color sweat and even stain contact lenses. It’s a harmless effect and doesn’t indicate toxicity. Other fluids such as blood or cerebrospinal fluid aren’t typically discolored by rifampin, and stools aren’t a usual site of this pigment, which is why those options aren’t the typical pattern.