Rifaximin is an antibiotic that fights bacterial infection only in the intestines. It is used to
treat travelers' diarrhea caused by E. coli. Most people get this infection by eating food or
drinking fluids that have been contaminated with the bacteria.
Rifaximin works differently from other antibiotics because it passes through your stomach
and into your intestines without being absorbed into your blood stream. Because rifaximin treats
only the intestinal tract, it will not treat infections of other parts of the body.
Rifaximin may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking rifaximin?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to rifaxmin, or if you have:
diarrhea with a fever; or
watery or bloody diarrhea.
Before taking rifaximin, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether rifaximin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take rifaximin?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Rifaximin can be taken with or without food.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Rifaximin will not treat a
viral infection such as the common cold or flu, or any form of diarrhea that is caused by a virus.
Rifaxmin does not treat all bacterial forms of traveler's diarrhea. Call your doctor if your
symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse after taking rifaxmin for 1 or 2 days. You may
need a different medication.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of rifaximin?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do
not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about rifaximin?
Your pharmacist has information about rifaximin written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of rifaximin?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using rifaximin and call your doctor at once if you have a fever or diarrhea that
is watery or bloody.
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
bloating, gas, stomach pain;
feeling like you need to empty your bowel urgently;
feeling like your bowel is not completely empty;
nausea, vomiting, constipation;
headache;
fever;
vaginal itching or discharge; or
mild itching or skin rash.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about rifaximin?
Rifaximin works differently from other antibiotics because it passes through your stomach
and into your intestines without being absorbed into your blood stream. Because rifaximin
affects only the intestinal tract, it will not treat infections of other parts of the body.
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to rifaxmin, or if you have diarrhea
with a fever, or watery or bloody diarrhea.
Rifaximin is not likely to cause serious side effects. You may have some stomach
discomfort such as bloating, gas, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or feeling like
you need to empty your bowel urgently, and then feeling like your bowel is not completely
empty.
What should I avoid while taking rifaximin?
Antibiotic medicines can often cause diarrhea, which may be a sign of a new infection. If
you have diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it, call your doctor. Do not use any other
medicine to stop the diarrhea unless your doctor has told you to.
What other drugs will affect rifaximin?
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect rifaximin. Tell your doctor about all
the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals,
herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication
without telling your doctor.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
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a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009