Rifamycins are a class of antibiotics primarily used to treat bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis (TB). They work by inhibiting bacterial RNA synthesis, effectively stopping the bacteria from multiplying and spreading. The most well-known member of this class is Rifampicin, which is often used in combination with other medications to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of TB. Rifamycins are also effective against other infections, including some caused by Staphylococcus and Neisseria species.