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Rifaximin

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Description

Rifaximin is an effective medicine used to treat bacterial infections of the intestine. It is used for the treatment of traveler's diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea caused due to certain specific strains of bacteria.
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Side effectsConcernsUsage

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Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Rifaximin

Black or Tarry stools

Difficult and painful breathing

Swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet

Watery and bloody diarrhea with stomach cramps and fever

Nausea and Vomiting

Headache

Blood in urine

Unusual bleeding or bruising

Ulcer and sore throat

Ringing or buzzing in the ears

Flatulence

Muscle and joint pain

Blurred vision

Mental Confusion

Dry mouth and lips

Dizziness and fainting

Unusual tiredness and weakness

Uses of Rifaximin

What is it prescribed for?

Traveler's Diarrhea

This medicine is used for the treatment of traveler's diarrhea caused by non-invasive strains of Escherichia coli. This diarrhea is not accompanied by fever or presence of blood in the stool. It is not used for the treatment of diarrhea caused by other strains of bacteria.

Hepatic encephalopathy

This medicine is used for the prevention of episodes of hepatic encephalopathy- a brain disorder characterized by changes in thinking, behavior, and personality caused by presence of toxic substances in the brain due to failure of the liver to clear them out of the body.

Irritable bowel syndrome associated diarrhea

This medicine is also used for the treatment of diarrhea associated with Irritable bowel syndrome.
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    The time taken for this medicine to show its initial effect is not established. It takes about an hour to achieve the peak concentration in the body upon oral administration.

  • Duration of effect

    The time duration for which this medicine remains effective in the body is not clinically established.

  • Safe with alcohol?

    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

  • Is it habit forming?

    No habit forming tendencies were reported.

  • Usage in pregnancy?

    Use of this medicine during pregnancy is not recommended unless absolutely necessary and the benefits outweigh the risks involved. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

  • Usage while breast-feeding?

    Use of this medicine by breastfeeding women is not recommended. However, if it becomes necessary to use this medicine then breastfeeding should be discontinued. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known history of allergy to rifaximin or any other ingredient present with it.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Use of this medicine during pregnancy is not recommended unless absolutely necessary and the benefits outweigh the risks involved. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

Use of this medicine by breastfeeding women is not recommended. However, if it becomes necessary to use this medicine then breastfeeding should be discontinued. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.

General warnings

Traveler's diarrhea caused by other bacteria

This medicine is not effective to treat diarrhea which is caused by other organisms like Campylobacter jejuni or shigella strains. Any diarrhea complicated by fever and/or blood in the stool should not be treated with this medicine.

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea

The use of this medicine can cause clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea by killing the gut friendly microorganisms. This results in the production of toxins in the gut which may lead to further diarrhea or a severe colitis.

Drug resistance

It is advised to take this medicine for the entire course. Failure to do so will result in drug-resistant bacteria and subsequent infections will not be treatable by the same medicine.

Liver impairment

This medicine should be used with caution in patients having moderate to severe impairment of liver function.

Dizziness

Use of this medicine may cause dizziness in some patients. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking this medicine till you are sure about the effect of this medicine.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose then the missed dose can be skipped.

Overdose

Contact your doctor immediately if an overdose with this medicine is suspected. Symptoms of an overdose may include fainting, difficulty in breathing, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Interaction with Medicine

Ketoconazole

Pantoprazole

Propranolol

Warfarin

Cyclosporine

Live cholera vaccine

Disease interactions

Colitis

This medicine should be used with caution in patients having colitis or other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract as the risk of worsening of the disease is significantly high. The use of this medicine should be stopped if the patient experiences diarrhea for prolonged duration of time.

Liver Disease

This medicine should be administered with caution in patients having an impairment of liver function.

Food interactions

Information not available.

Lab interactions

Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Take Rifaximin as instructed by the doctor. It is advised to take this medicine for the entire prescribed duration even when the symptoms have resolved. This medicine can be taken with or without food. An adequate amount of water should be consumed while and after taking this medicine.

Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works

This medicine works by interfering with some vital processes in the bacterial cell and stopping the growth and multiplication of the microorganism.

Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Miscellaneous antibiotics

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 3 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/27427

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 3 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/021361s013lbl.pdf

DailyMed - rifaximin tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 3 May 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=c5e8e2fd-7087-4b78-9181-cc259c0be2f1

Rifaximin: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 3 May 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604027.html
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Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.