ARREST
(Please add your hospital trust logo)
NURSING STAFF INFORMATION SHEET
INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF RIFAMPICIN OR PLACEBO
Study medication will START on -
and END on -
ARREST trial:
Adjunctive Rifampicin to Reduce Early mortality from STaphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: a multi-centre,
randomised, blinded, placebo controlled trial.
This trial aims to assess the efficacy of using rifampicin or placebo, in addition to standard antibiotic
therapy for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia. This is a ‘double blind’ study and therefore neither study
investigators nor patient should know whether placebo or rifampicin is administered. Patients will receive
study drug as either 600mg/24hr or 900mg/24hr in one or two doses.
Pharmacy:
If the patient is on oral study medication and it is converted to I.V study medication please contact
research team or clinical trials pharmacy on: 2883
Pharmacy will present either:


Rifampicin vial(s), 10mL water ampoule(s), 500mL infusion fluid (0.9% sodium chloride) or
500mL 0.9% sodium chloride infusion fluid only (placebo)
Please follow Trust guidelines for rifampicin reconstitution.
If the patient is prescribed 900mg/24hrs rifampicin reconstitute 2 vials and use 1.5vials for infusion.
Please do NOT try to substitute the study drug with open label Rifampicin.
The trial drug will be prescribed by a member of the study team.
Administration:
Reconstituted rifampicin in infusion fluid is orange in colour, therefore for either rifampicin or placebo:

Use the ARREST trial opaque bags to cover the infusion bag - these will be provided by pharmacy
Please cover the infusion bag before entering main ward/approaching the patient.
Nursing staff will know which treatment the patient is receiving: it is important that study team and patient
do NOT know. Additionally, rifampicin infusion may produce a reddish/orange colouration of urine, sweat,
sputum and tears (may permanently stain soft contact lenses); the patient will be forewarned of this.
Treatment should NOT continue after 14 days of starting trial drug even if there has been a missed dose.
Please record any missed doses accordingly and inform research team.
Research Nurse name & bleep:
ARREST Nursing Staff Information Sheet
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