Generic

Rifaximin

Indications

Rifaximin 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.

Pharmacology

Rifaximin is a rifamycin-based non-systemic antibiotic that is semi-synthetic. Unlike other types of orally taken antibiotics, very little of the medicine will get through the gut wall into the circulation. Rifaximin acts on the beta-subunit of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase to suppress bacterial RNA production. It has the same broad spectrum activity as rifamycin, which kills Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in both aerobic and anaerobic environments.

Dosage & Administration

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

Interaction

Rifaximin is a semi-synthetic rifamycin-based non-systemic antibiotic. Unlike other methods of orally administered antibiotics, just a small amount of the medication passes past the gut wall and into the bloodstream. Rifaximin inhibits bacterial RNA synthesis by binding to the beta subunit of the DNA-dependent RNA polymerase. It kills Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in both aerobic and anaerobic settings, and it has the same broad range activity as rifamycin.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to Rifaximin, any of the rifamycin antibacterial agents, or any of the product’s components is contraindicated.

Side Effects

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 & Lactation

Category C pregnancy. Rifaximin is unknown whether or not it is eliminated in human milk.

Precautions & Warnings

In patients with diarrhea that is accompanied by a fever and/or blood in the feces, rifaximin has not been found to be beneficial. If diarrhea symptoms worsen or last longer than 24 hours, rifaximin therapy should be stopped and an alternative antibiotic should be investigated. Nearly all antibacterial drugs have been linked to pseudomembranous colitis, which can range in severity from moderate to life-threatening. As a result, this diagnosis should be considered in patients who present with diarrhea following the administration of antimicrobial drugs.

Therapeutic Class

4-Quinolone preparations

Storage Conditions

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

Pharmaceutical Name

ACME Laboratories Ltd.