What is Xifaxan?
Xifaxan can be described as an antibiotic that fights bacteria, specifically within the intestinal tract.
Rifaximin differs from other antibiotics since it is absorbed by your stomach and then into the intestines without being taken into the bloodstream. Since rifaximin only treats the intestinal tract, it does not treat other organs of the body.
Xifaxan helps treat diarrhoea in travellers, which is the result of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in children and adults that are at least 12 years old. Most people contract the infection through eating food or drinking fluids affected by the E. coli bacteria.
Xifaxan can also be employed to manage IBS, also known as irritable IBS (IBS), in adults whose primary symptoms are diarrhoea.
Xifaxan can also be utilised to reduce the risk of brain function loss in patients suffering from liver disease. Brain function is affected when the liver is not working and is unable to eliminate toxic chemicals from your body.
Warnings
It is not recommended to take Xifaxan if you are sensitive to rifaximin or other drugs like rifabutin (mycobutin), rifampin (rifater, rifadin, rifamate), or the drug rifapentine (priftin).
Before taking Xifaxan, inform your doctor that you have liver disease, diarrhoea that is accompanied by fever, or diarrhoea that's liquid or contains blood.
Use Xifaxan for the entire prescribed duration. The symptoms might improve after the infection is completely gone. Rifaximin is not a treatment for a viral infection, such as an illness like the flu or common cold, or any type of diarrhoea caused by viruses. Contact your doctor if symptoms don't improve within 24 hours or worsen while you are using this medication. The Xifaxan medicine does not treat all forms of bacterial traveller's diarrhoea.
Before you take this drug
It is not recommended to take Xifaxan in the event that you are sensitive to rifaximin, rifabutin, rifampin, or rifapentine.
To ensure that Xifaxan is suitable for you, inform your doctor if:
- Liver disease;
- A fever and diarrhoea;
- Watery or bloody diarrhoea.
Consult your physician if you are nursing or pregnant.
Xifaxan should not be administered to a child who is younger than twelve years of age.
How to take Xifaxan?
You should take Xifaxan exactly as directed by your physician. Follow the directions on the prescription label and go through all medication guides and instruction sheets.
You can use this medicine without or even with food.
To treat diarrhea caused by travelers, Xifaxan is usually taken for just three days. For IBS, generally, it's taken for two weeks at a time. Follow your doctor's dosage instructions extremely carefully.
Take this medication for the prescribed duration, even if symptoms do not improve immediately. Inadequate doses could increase your chances of contracting an illness that is not able to be treated with medication. It is not effective in treating a viral disease such as the flu or a typical cold.
Don't share this medication with anyone else, even if they share similar symptoms to yours.
Consult your doctor if symptoms don't improve within 24 to 48 hours or if they get worse when you take this medicine.
Xifaxan is not a treatment for all forms of bacterial travellers' diarrhoea.
Place it in a cool, dry place far from heat and moisture.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Traveller's Diarrhoea:
200 mg oral every three times for a period of three daysComments:
It is not recommended to use it in patients who suffer from diarrhoea caused by fever, blood in the stool, or other pathogens other than Escherichia coli.
Use: To treat diarrhoea caused by travellers due to noninvasive strains E Coli
Usual Adult Dose for Hepatic Encephalopathy:
550 mg taken orally twice per day
Comments:
In studies, lactulose was concurrently administered to 90% of the patients. The effects of treatment differed in patients who were not taking the lactulose in conjunction with it; this could not be determined.
Use: To decrease the chance of a more obvious hepatic encephalopathy and the possibility of recurrence.
Usual Adult Dose for Irritable Bowel Syndrome:
550 mg taken orally three times per day for 14 days
Comments:
If symptoms persist and recur, patients may be treated up to two times using the same dosage regimen.
Use: In the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome accompanied by diarrhea
Usual Paediatric Dose for Traveller's Diarrhoea:
12 years old or older Age 12 or older: 200 mg taken orally three times per day for three days
Comments:
It is not recommended to use it in patients who suffer from diarrhoea caused by blood and/or fever in the stool or caused by pathogens other than E bacteria.
Use: To treat diarrhoea in travellers due to non-invasive strains of E. coli.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Do not take the medicine for as long as you are able, but avoid your missed dose if you are close to the time of the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.
What happens if I overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
Antibiotic medicines can trigger diarrhoea, which can be an indicator of an infection that has just begun. If you experience diarrhoea that is either watery or bloody, consult your doctor prior to using nti-diarrhea m medications.
Side effects of Xifaxan
See a doctor immediately. Get medical attention immediately if you show symptoms of an allergy reaction. Xifaxan: hives, breathing problems, or swelling of your lips, face, or tongue.
See your doctor right away. If you suffer from:
- Extreme stomach discomfort; diarrhoea that is bloody or watery (even when it happens months after the previous dose);
- Fever
- Fluid accumulation in the abdomen rapid weight gain causes nausea, stomach pain, constipation, and breathing difficulties while lying down.
Common Xifaxan side effects can include:
- Swelling of your feet or hands
- Nausea;
- Headache, dizziness;
- Tiredness;
- Abnormal tests of liver function.
This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and others could happen. Consult your physician to seek medical advice on the effects. You can report symptoms to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
Discuss with your doctor your other medications, including:
- Cyclosporine;
- Ketoconazole;
- Warfarin (coumadin, jantoven);
- Is an antibiotic, clarithromycin, erythromycin;
- Antiviral medication: ritonavir, saquinavir;
- Blood pressure or heart medicine medicine for high blood pressure: amiodarone, quinidine, verapamil
This list isn't comprehensive. Other drugs can interact with rifaximin. These include medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, vitamins, and herbal products. Some interactions with drugs are not listed here. are listed here.
