Equine · Equus caballus · typical adult weight 350.00–700.00 kg
Rifampin is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg PO q12h in horses, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1118, Rifampin monograph spanning p.1118-1120; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1120, Rifampin monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Rifampin is used in horses for Rhodococcus equi (with macrolide), abscess. Routes documented in horses: PO. A typical adult horse weighs 350.00–700.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Rifampin in horses, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Rifadin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12h | 4-12 weeks | Rhodococcus equi (with macrolide), abscess | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1118, Rifampin monograph spanning p.1118-1120; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — figure located 2026-08-05 at Plumb's 10th ed printed p.1120, Rifampin monograph; the page cited previously does not carry it. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.739 | • 10 mg/kg q24h PO. |
| 5 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.739 | • Foals for treatment of R. equi: 5 mg/kg q12h PO combined with erythromycin |
| 25 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.739 | (25 mg/kg q8h PO). |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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Inhibits bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, blocking RNA synthesis. Excellent intracellular penetration.
Always use in combination (rapid resistance when used alone). Potent CYP inducer (many drug interactions). Orange/red discoloration of urine, tears. Hepatotoxic — monitor liver enzymes.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for horses may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Rifampin dose range in horses, with cited source references: PO 5–10 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Rifampin in horses: PO.
Cited course lengths for Rifampin in horses include: 4-12 weeks. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Rifampin is indicated in horses for: Rhodococcus equi (with macrolide), abscess.
These are general warnings for Rifampin across species; consult the horse dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Always use in combination (rapid resistance when used alone). Potent CYP inducer (many drug interactions). Orange/red discoloration of urine, tears. Hepatotoxic — monitor liver enzymes.
Why a species-specific page? Rifampin pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in horses — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.