Rimstar 4 Dosage/Direction for Use

The following information applies unless otherwise instructed by the doctor.
The total dosage requirement of rifampicin is 10 (8-12) mg/kg body mass/day, of isoniazid 5 (4-6) mg/kg body mass/day, of pyrazinamide 25 (20-30) mg/kg body mass/day and of ethambutol 15 (10-20) mg/kg body mass/day.
Each tablet contains rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol in such a ratio that the previously mentioned recommendations are achieved by giving 1 tab/15 kg body weight.
The daily dosage is calculated from the recommended daily requirement given previously: Patients with a body mass of ≥71 kg: 5 tablets daily; 55-70 kg: 4 tablets daily; 38-54 kg: 3 tablets daily; 30-37 kg: 2 tablets daily.
Hepatic and/or Renal Failure and in the Elderly: Rifampicin: In elderly patients, plasma concentrations are similar to those in young patients. Provided that hepatic excretory function is normal, the dosage in patients with impaired renal function need not be reduced below 600 mg daily. In the presence of severe hepatic dysfunction, the dosage may have to be adjusted accordingly. Rifampicin is eliminated by peritoneal or hemodialysis. Dosage adjustment is not necessary during dialysis.
Isoniazid: In elderly patients with impaired liver function or severely impaired renal function, it might be necessary to adapt the dosage accordingly to avoid unwanted effects.
Pyrazinamide: Dosage adjustment is not necessary.
Ethambutol: In the elderly, the dosage does not need adaptation. However in patients with impaired renal function, it might be necessary to reduce the dosage depending on the degree of renal impairment.
Administration: Nature and Duration: Rimstar 4 should be swallowed whole. The tablets should be given as a single dose, preferably on an empty stomach, at least 30 min before breakfast to ensure a high peak serum concentration.
Rimstar 4 is recommended in the initial intensive phase of the short-course treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. During this phase which lasts for 2 months, Rimstar 4 should be administered on a continuous daily basis. This recommendation may vary corresponding to national treatment guidelines.