What is "rifamycin"

n. Any of a group of antibiotics, a subclass of the ansamycins, which are synthesized either naturally by the bacterium ''Amycolatopsis mediterranei'' or artificially.

The rifamycins are a group of antibiotics that are synthesized either naturally by the bacterium Amycolatopsis rifamycinica or artificially. They are a subclass of the larger family of ansamycins. Rifamycins are particularly effective against mycobacteria, and are therefore used to treat tuberculosis, leprosy, and mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infections.

The rifamycin group includes the "classic" rifamycin drugs as well as the rifamycin derivatives rifampicin (or rifampin), rifabutin, rifapentine, and rifalazil.