Which antibiotic is a strong inducer of cytochrome P450 and can cause orange discoloration of body fluids?

Which antibiotic is a strong inducer of cytochrome P450 and can cause orange discoloration of body fluids?

• A. Rifampin
• B. Linezolid
• C. Vancomycin
• D. Daptomycin

Answer: (A)

Rifampin is the antibiotic that strongly activates hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes, especially CYP3A4. This enzyme induction speeds up the metabolism of many other drugs, often reducing their blood levels and making combinations less effective unless dosing is adjusted. A well-known, harmless clue about rifampin is that it can turn body fluids—urine, sweat, tears—an orange color. The other antibiotics listed do not reliably induce CYP enzymes to a clinically significant extent, and they don’t typically cause orange-colored body fluids.

Rifampin is the antibiotic that strongly activates hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes, especially CYP3A4. This enzyme induction speeds up the metabolism of many other drugs, often reducing their blood levels and making combinations less effective unless dosing is adjusted. A well-known, harmless clue about rifampin is that it can turn body fluids—urine, sweat, tears—an orange color. The other antibiotics listed do not reliably induce CYP enzymes to a clinically significant extent, and they don’t typically cause orange-colored body fluids.