利福平于1965年合成后很快就知其有抗结核杆菌的活性。此药同时也是一种广谱抗生素,对革兰氏阳性球菌和阴性杆菌均有抗菌作用。利福平为脂溶性抗生素,能渗入很多组织。尽管如此,但由于担心产生象结核杆菌那样的抗药性,加之药价较贵和有一定的毒性,因而较少用来治疗非结核病性的感染。利福平被认为是最强有力的,并有实用 Rifampicin soon after its synthesis in 1965 known to have anti-TB bacilli activity. This drug is also a broad-spectrum antibiotic, both against Gram-positive cocci and negative bacilli. Rifampin is a fat-soluble antibiotic that penetrates into many tissues. In spite of this, it is less used to treat non-tuberculosis infections because of fears of drug-resistance like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as well as more expensive and toxic drugs. Rifampin is considered the most powerful and practical