rifampin

[ ri-fam-pin ]

nounPharmacology.
  1. a semisynthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic, C43H58N4O12, used in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, asymptomatic carriers of meningococcal disease, and leprosy.

Origin of rifampin

1
1965–70; probably rifam(yci)n (originally, rifomycin, equivalent to rifo- (perhaps <Italian rifo(rmare) to reform) + -mycin) + pi(perazine)

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