Rifaxin

• Rifaxin is indicaed in-
• Treatment of traveler's diarrhea by noninvasive strains of E. coli
• reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy

bacterial overgrowth of irritable bowel syndrome.

Rifaximin is a semisynthetic, rifamycin-based non-systemic antibiotic. Very little of the drug will pass the gastrointestinal wall into the circulation as is common for other types of orally administered antibiotics. Rifaximin inhibits bacterial RNA synthesis by its action on the beta-subunit of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. It shows the same broad spectrum activity as rifamycin which exerts bactericidal action against many species of Gram-positive and Gram-negative, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

Traveler's Diarrhea : For patients ≥12 years of age: 200 mg 3 times daily for 3 days. Hepatic Encephalopathy: For patients ≥18 years of age: 550 mg 2 times daily. Bacterial overgrowth of irritable bowel syndrome : 400 mg 3 times daily for 10 days or 550 mg 3 times daily for 14 days. Can be taken with or without food

In an in vitro study has suggested that Rifaxin induces CYP3A4. However, in patients with normal liver function, Rifaxin at the recommended dosing regimen is not expected to induce CYP3A4.

Contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to Rifaximin or to any of the rifamycin antimicrobial agents, or any components of this product

Side effects include flatulence, headache, abdominal pain, rectal tenesmus, defecation urgency, nausea, constipation, pyrexia, vomiting. Reactions have been reported, including anaphylaxis, angioneurotic edema, and exfoliative dermatitis.

Pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Rifaximin is excreted in human milk or not.

Rifaxin is not found to be effective in patients with diarrhea complicated by fever and/or blood in the stools. Rifaxin therapy should be discontinued if diarrhea symptoms get worse or persist for more than 24-48 hours and alternative antibiotic therapy should be considered. Pseudomembranous colitis has been reported with nearly all antibacterial agents and may range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to consider this diagnosis in patients who present with diarrhea subsequent to the administration of antibacterial agents.

No specific information is available on the treatment of over dosage with Rifaxin. In case of over dosage, discontinue Rifaxin, treat symptomatically and institute supportive measures as required.

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.