Key Points about Xifaxan / Rifaximin:
- Xifaxan / Rifaximin is a "fairly" new antibiotic supplied by Salix Pharmaceuticals in the US
Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Website
- What is "New and Improved" about Xifaxan / Rifaximin over (most) other antibiotics, is that it is a Non-Systemic Antibiotic. This means that (unlike almost all antibiotics) it is not distributed throughout the entire body after you take it. The drug is taken by mouth and most of it continues down the gastrointestinal tract until it is expelled in the feces. In contrast to most other antibiotics that are distributed throughout the entire body. In patients that have bacterial overgrowth restricted to the GI tract side effects can be minimized if the drug is not distributed to body areas where it is not needed. This Non-Systemic feature of the antibiotic makes it attractive for use in patients with bacterial overgrowth restricted to the Gastrointestinal Tract.
- This drug is a Pregnancy Category C. This means that it should not be taken in pregnancy unless
absolutely necessary. There have been no exhaustive studies in pregnant women taking this drug but studies of Rifaximin in pregnant animal models have found a higher incidence in birth defects over pregnant animals that were not given the drug.
- There are some warnings for Xifaxan / Rifaximin that are typical for strong antibiotics in general (or for any medication) and are not specific to Rifaximin only. Examples of these warnings include:
1. Possibility of having an allergic reaction to the drug (this is a possibility for any drug). An allergic reaction to a drug should not be ignored as it may be fatal.
2. Possibility of generating "Bacteria that are Resistant to the Antibiotic" - This can occur with the use of any antibiotic and is not specific to Rifaximin.
3.
Clostridium difficile overgrowth, aka
C. diff, aka CDAD (
Clostridium difficile Associated Diarrhea).
Clostridium difficile is a pathogenic type of bacteria that can produce toxins which are harmful to the GI tract. Normally, the bacteria that are supposed to reside within out intestinal tract keep the
C. diff at bay. But, sometimes when you take a strong antibiotic, the "good" bacteria can get killed off which can allow the pathogenic
C. diff to invade.
C. diff infections vary widely in their symptoms from no symptoms at all, diarrhea requiring hospitalization, to
C. diff infections that can be fatal. The possibility of acquiring a
C. diff infection is something to be concerned about when taking any of the stronger antibiotics and is not a warning specific to Rifaximin only.
4. One warning that is specific to Rifaximin is that people with severe liver problems appear to get more of the drug distributed throughout the body (Systemic Rifaximin) rather than having the drug stay predominantly in the GI tract.
5. Although Rifaximin can be taken with or without food, if it is taken within 2 hours of a meal that contains high amounts of fat the drug will be found at higher levels throughout the entire body (and not restricted to the GI tract as it is supposed to do).
6. Also, Rifaximin is NOT for use in people that have a bacterial infection that is systemic or outside of the GI tract.
7. Rifaximin is generally used to treat intestinal overgrowth of
E. coli bacteria. Rifaximin DOES NOT WORK on certain species of bacteria that can cause GI Tract problems so it is recommended to test what species of bacteria has overgrown and is causing the GI Tract problems.
8. Most people that take Rifaximin have their GI upset subside relatively quickly (average is about 1.5 days), but some people can actually have their symptoms worsen. Rifaximin should be discontinued if this occurs (under the advisement of your doctor, of course).
9. Patients that take Rifaximin report the following side effects more often than patients taking placebo:
- Headache - (10% Rifaximin; 9% Placebo)
- Swelling of the Extremities (Arms/Legs/Hands/Feet) - (15% Rifaximin; 8% Placebo)
- Nausea - (14% Rifaximin; 13% Placebo)
- Dizziness - (13% Rifaximin; 8% Placebo)
- Fatigue / Tired Feeling - (12% Rifaximin; 11% Placebo)
- Ascites (Fluid buildup in the abdomen in the space under the muscle and outside of the GI Tract) - (11% Rifaximin; 9% Placebo)
- Muscle Spasms - (9% Rifaximin; 7% Placebo)
- Abdominal Pain - (9% Rifaximin; 8% Placebo)
- Anemia - (8% Rifaximin; 4% Placebo)
- Itchiness - (9% Rifaximin; 6% Placebo)
- Shortness of Breath / Dyspnea - (6% Rifaximin; 4% Placebo)
There are other side effects seen with Rifaximin use. I have attached the document
HERE.
As with any newish drug the type of side effects and drug interactions will continue to be added as they are discovered. So, obviously take all of this information with that in mind.
I hope it helped in your decision somewhat. I respect that you are interested in what goes into your body and are taking an active role in your treatment. Let me know if there is something you might be interested in that I missed.
Judy
PS- It may be expensive depending on your insurance. I know that if your insurance company does pay they might require documentation that you have already tried "other drugs in the same class"...... some insurance companies do not pay at all. I dont know your insurance situation but I posted a couple of ways Salix Pharmaceutical offers to help in
THIS THREAD. I would get any financial approval in advance though... just to be sure.