ABSTRACT
Rifampicin, a potent inducer of hepatic microsomal enzymes, increases metabolism of steroid hormone. Therefore, concurrent treatment of rifampicin and steroid may lead to decreased bioavailability and increased requirement of steroid hormone. Here we report a case of rifampicin-induced severe hyperkalemia requiring hemodialysis in a patient with Addison's disease. A 52-year-old woman was admitted due to general weakness. She had been diagnosed with adrenal tuberculosis and consequent Addison's disease and treated with rifampicin and physiologic dose of steroid. Blood chemistry showed 9.1 mEq/L of potassium and emergent hemodialysis was performed. With increment of dosage of steroid hormone and maintenance of the same dosage of rifampicin, potassium level was normalized