Xifaxan (Xifaxan) General Drug Information

What Xifaxan Is and What It’s Used For

Xifaxan is an antibiotic which treats diarrhea caused by E. coli, a common bacteria. This drug contains the active ingredient Xifaxan, which stops the growth of harmful bacteria. Xifaxan is also prescribed to patients with irritable bowel syndrome who have diarrhea.

Xifaxan should not be used if an individual has fever or bloody diarrhea. It does not aid patients suffering from viral infections (e.g. the flu) as such problems cannot be treated with antibiotics. People who misuse antibiotics face the risk of developing resistance to such drugs, and antibiotics may be less effective in the future.

Xifaxan is also prescribed to patients with hepatic encephalopathy, an accumulation of toxins in the brain often caused by liver disease. The drug works by reducing the amount of toxins in the gut, preventing them from reaching a patient’s brain.

Marketed Internationally as Xifaxanta or Targaxan

In some parts of the world, you can buy Xifaxan under the brand name Xifaxanta or Targaxa.

Usage and Application

This prescription drug should only be taken after a consultation with a physician who can recommend the most appropriate treatment protocol. This will depend on the patient’s medical condition and response to treatment.

In most cases of traveler's diarrhea (caused by E.coli), patients are advised to take one 200mg Xifaxan capsule three times per day. This medicine can be taken with or without food, and the treatment period is usually three days. It is vital to finish the full treatment course and to take the drug at evenly spaced time intervals – in this case, every eight hours.

Patients must alert their doctor if symptoms persist one or two days after starting the course of medication, or in the event their diarrhea turns bloody. This may be a sign of a serious health condition.

In cases of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, Xifaxan is usually prescribed in a higher dose at three times a day over a 14-day period.

To prevent hepatic encephalopathy, patients are usually prescribed Xifaxan in a higher dose, once every twelve hours. The duration of treatment is prescribed by the treating physician.

Considerations Before Taking Xifaxan

Patients need to discuss their medical history with their physician before starting treatment with Xifaxan. The possibility of allergic reactions to Xifaxan – the active ingredient in this medication – also needs to be discussed. Patients who know they are allergic to other rifamycins, such as rifampin and rifabutin, must alert their doctor. Some of the inactive ingredients used to make Xifaxan can also cause allergic reactions in some people.

Patients should avoid vaccinations for the duration of their Xifaxan treatment, as the drug may interact negatively with live bacterial vaccines, making them less effective. This is the case with vaccinations like the typhoid vaccine, for example.

Patients about to undergo surgery or serious dental procedures need to tell their doctor or dentist about all medications and supplements they use, including prescription drugs such as Xifaxan.

Pregnant women should discuss the risks of taking Xifaxan with a physician before starting treatment. It is unknown whether this medication is passed through breast milk, so breastfeeding mothers should carefully evaluate this risk with their physicians.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

It is important to take this drug at evenly spaced periods. However, if a dose is missed, it can be taken as soon as a patient remembers. If the time is nearer to the next scheduled dose, the missed dose can be skipped. Patients should not double doses in order to catch up.

Other Medications and Xifaxan

Drug interactions may change the way this medication works, increasing the risk for serious side effects. Patients should keep a list of all the medications and herbal products they use and discuss it with their physician or pharmacist before starting treatment.

Certain antibiotics can decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraception methods. Women who use forms of hormonal birth control such as pills, patches or rings need to discuss this with their doctor before starting treatment.

Adverse Reactions

Many Xifaxan users do not experience serious side effects. In some cases, however, this medication may cause a severe intestinal condition known as Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. This is caused by resistant bacteria in the patient’s body, and may occur during treatment, or weeks or even months later.

Patients need to alert their doctor if they develop persistent diarrhea, stomach pain or cramping, or notice the presence of blood or mucus in their stool. Those who experience such symptoms should avoid diarrhea products and narcotic pain medications which may worsen the problem.

Serious allergic reactions to Xifaxan are rare but may include: rash, severe dizziness, trouble breathing, or itching or swelling of the face, tongue or throat.

How to Store Xifaxan

Xifaxan should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight and moisture. As with all medications, it should be kept away from children and pets.

It is important that patients properly dispose of this medication after it expires or is no longer needed. Xifaxan should not be flushed down the toilet or poured down the drain.