We compared the pharmacokinetics of rifampicin (RMP) during daily and intermittent (thrice weekly) anti-tuberculosis treatment in human immunodeficiency virus infected tuberculosis patients. Patients treated with a thrice-weekly regimen had significantly lower plasma peak concentration, area under the time concentration curve from 0 to 24 h and higher oral clearance of RMP than those treated with the daily regimen. The median values were respectively 3.7 and 6.4 μg/ml (P < 0.001), 20.7 and 29.4 μg/ml.h (P = 0.03) and 21.7 and 15.3 ml/min (P = 0.03).