Xifaxa Tablet 550mg

About Xifaxa Tablet 550mg

Xifaxa Tablet 550mg Uses

• Treats traveler's diarrhea caused by E. coli
• Reduces the risk of hepatic encephalopathy episodes returning in liver disease patients
• Manages symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
• Used as antibiotic prophylaxis before certain bowel surgeries

Xifaxa Tablet 550mg Benefits

• Acts mainly within the gut with very low absorption into the bloodstream
• Lowers ammonia producing gut bacteria linked to hepatic encephalopathy
• Helps reduce bloating and diarrhea in irritable bowel syndrome
• Generally well tolerated for repeated or longer courses

What Experts Say

Rifaximin is a broad spectrum antibiotic that works almost entirely within the gastrointestinal tract, since very little of the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream. It blocks bacterial RNA synthesis, which stops harmful gut bacteria from multiplying and reduces the ammonia producing bacteria that contribute to hepatic encephalopathy.

For hepatic encephalopathy, it is usually taken as one 550mg tablet twice daily on a long term basis to prevent relapse, while traveler's diarrhea is treated with a short course of a few days. The twice daily hepatic encephalopathy dose is chosen to maintain steady suppression of ammonia producing bacteria between doses.

Because Rifaximin has minimal systemic absorption, routine blood monitoring is not usually required the way it is with many other antibiotics. Doctors still assess liver function and watch for Clostridioides difficile associated diarrhea, a rare but recognized risk with prolonged antibiotic use.

Drug Class

• Antibiotic
• Rifamycin Derivative

Xifaxa Tablet 550mg formula

• Rifaximin

Available forms

• Tablet

How to use Xifaxa Tablet 550mg?

• Take with or without food as directed by your doctor
• Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water
• Complete the full course even if symptoms improve early
• Take at the same times each day for hepatic encephalopathy prevention

Drug Interactions

Xifaxa Tablet can interact with several other medicines, so tell your doctor about everything you take.

• Warfarin: May increase bleeding risk and needs closer monitoring of clotting levels
• Cyclosporine: Can raise Rifaximin levels in the blood, requiring caution in combined use
• Other antibiotics: Concurrent use may increase the risk of Clostridioides difficile associated diarrhea
• P-glycoprotein inhibitors: May increase systemic absorption of Rifaximin

Risks and warnings

• Liver disease caution: Use with care in patients with severe liver impairment, since higher drug exposure is possible
• C. difficile risk: Prolonged use can raise the risk of Clostridioides difficile associated diarrhea
• Pregnancy: Use only if clearly needed and under a doctor's guidance
• Not for all diarrhea: Not effective against diarrhea caused by invasive bacteria with fever or bloody stools
• Antibiotic resistance: Should be used exactly as prescribed to avoid contributing to resistance

Xifaxa Tablet 550mg Side Effects

Xifaxa Tablet is generally well tolerated since it acts mainly in the gut, though some mild effects can occur.

• Nausea
• Bloating or abdominal discomfort
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

Contact your doctor or seek medical help right away if you notice any of these serious effects.

• Severe or persistent watery diarrhea
• Signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Severe stomach pain with fever

Storage Conditions

• Store at room temperature below 30°C
• Keep in the original blister pack away from moisture
• Keep out of reach of children
• Do not use beyond the expiry date printed on the pack