Rifampicin Allergy Leading to Acute Renal Shutdown

Rifampicin is a widely used drug to treat tuberculosis and leprosy. Its toxicity is predominantly hepatic and immunoallergic in character. While hepatic toxicity is dose-related, the immunoallergic effects are unpredictable and usually associated with intermittent therapy. These immunoallergic effects may be minor (a cutaneous, gastrointestinal, or influenza-like syndrome) or major (hemolytic anemia, shock, or acute renal failure). Herein, we report a case of rifampicin allergy in a patient who was on intermittent once monthly rifampicin therapy for neuritic leprosy and was on his 4 th month of treatment. Rifampicin exposure led to sudden shock and acute renal failure, which eventually required hemodialysis support. The patient made a complete recovery over the subsequent days and his renal function returned to normal over the next 3 weeks. He continues his multidrug therapy of leprosy without rifampicin.