New Insights into Co-Administration of Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Rifampicin with Acetaminophen and Vitamin C: Strong Electrochemical Evidence for the Detoxification

Abstract

In order to discover more information about the toxic metabolites formed from the oxidation of rifampicin and acetaminophen in the body, the electrochemical oxidation of these drugs together and also in the presence of vitamin C was studied. This work has led to strong evidence of a catalytic reaction between vitamin C and the oxidized form of rifampicin. Also, contrary to the published reports, the results of this study have discovered another catalytic reaction between oxidized acetaminophen and rifampicin. The results of this study can be used to prevent the toxic effects of rifampicin and acetaminophen and/or prevent the poor bioavailability of these drugs.