Rifampin is an antibiotic. Rifampin prevents bacteria from spreading in your body. Rifampin is used to treat or prevent tuberculosis (TB). Rifampin may also be used to eliminate a bacteria from your nose and throat that may cause meningitis or other infections, even if you do not have an infection. Rifampin prevents you from spreading this bacteria to other people, but the medication will not treat an infection caused by the bacteria.