What is Rifaximin?
Rifaximin treats travelers' diarrhea that is caused by Escherichia coli in adults and children over 12 years of age. The majority of people who get this disease do so by consuming food or fluids contaminated with E. Coli bacteria. Rifaximin can also be used to treat IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) in adults, whose primary symptom is diarrhea. Rifaximin can also be used to reduce the risk of brain dysfunction in adults who have liver failure. When the liver is unable to remove toxic substances, it can affect brain function. Rifaximin can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Rifaximin
If you experience any of the following signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction: difficulty breathing, hives or swelling to your lips or throat - seek medical assistance immediately!
Rifaximin can cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Severe stomach pain or diarrhea that is bloody or watery (even months after the last dose);
- Fluid buildup around the stomach: rapid weight gain, stomach bloating and pain, difficulty breathing when lying down
Rifaximin can cause the following side effects:
- You may experience swelling in your hands or feet.
- Nausea;
- Headache, dizziness;
- Tiredness;
- Abnormal liver function tests
There may be other side effects.Need medical advice about side effects? Speak with your physician.The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Similar/related drugs
Ciprofloxacin, Bactrim, Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim, Loperamide, Lactulose, Xifaxan, and Imodium
Warnings
Please read all the instructions on the label or package of your medication. Inform your healthcare provider about your medical conditions, allergies, and medicines.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to rifaximin or any of its components, rifabutin, rifampin, or rifapentine, then rifaximin should be avoided.
Contact your physician if any of the following apply to you:
- Liver disease
- A fever and diarrhea
- Watery or bloody diarrhea
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. Rifaximin is not recommended for children younger than 12 years of age.
How to take Rifaximin?
Read all instructions or guides that come with your medication and follow all directions. Follow the directions on the label. Take rifaximin either with or without food. Rifaximin for travelers' diarrhea is normally taken only for 3 days. Rifaximin can be taken for up to 2 weeks in order to treat IBS. Do not forget to follow your doctor's instructions. Even if your symptoms improve quickly, continue taking this medication until it has completed its course as taking shorter intervals could result in developing resistance against its treatment. Skipping doses is not advised since doing so could increase risk of resistant infection and may increase side-effects or side-results of side-effects such as increased pain. Rifaximin does not treat viral infections, such as the flu and the common cold. This medicine should not be shared with anyone else, even if the other person has similar symptoms. If your symptoms don't improve within 24 to 48 hours or worsen while taking rifaximin, call your doctor. Rifaximin is not effective for all types of bacterial travelers' diarrhea. Store at room temperature away from heat and moisture to maintain maximum effectiveness.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for traveler's diarrhea:
Take 200 mg 3 times per day for 3 consecutive days.
Comments:
This drug should not be used by patients who have diarrhea that is complicated by fever, blood in the stool, or diarrhea caused by other pathogens than Escherichia coli.
Use: To treat travelers' diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of E. Coli
Adult dose for hepatic encephalopathy:
Take 550 mg twice daily.
Comments:
In clinical trials, lactulose was used simultaneously in 91% of patients. Differences in the treatment effects of patients who did not use lactulose concurrently could not be evaluated.
Use: To reduce the risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence.
Adult dose for irritable bowel syndrome:
Orally, take 550mg three times per day for 14 consecutive days.
Comments:
If symptoms return, the patient can receive a second dose of the same medication.
Use: To treat diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome
Usual pediatric dose for traveler's diarrhea:
Twelve years and older: Orally take 200 mg three times per day for three days.
Comments:
This drug should not be used by patients who have diarrhea that is complicated by fever, blood in their stool, or diarrhea due to pathogens other than E. Coli.
Use: To treat travelers' diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of E. Coli
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
What should be avoided?
Antibiotic medications can cause diarrhea. This could be an indication of a new illness. Call your doctor if you experience diarrhea that is bloody or watery before taking anti-diarrhea medication.
Interaction with other drug
Tell your doctor all of your other medications, including:
- Cyclosporine;
- Ketoconazole;
- Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven);
- An antibiotic—clarithromycin, erythromycin;
- Antiviral medicines: Ritonavir or Saquinavir?
- Heart or blood pressure medicine—amiodarone, quinidine, and verapamil.
This list is incomplete. Rifaximin may be affected by other drugs, such as vitamins and herbs. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.
