hepatic encephalopathy

I have both hepatitis C and cirrhosis of the liver and have had hepatic encephalopathy attacks averaging one per month, always resulting in loss of consciosness for 48 hrs, (2 days) at a time.  It is treated with lactalose (total of ten tablespoons daily).  My doctor, Dr. Martin Black,of Temple university Hospital in Philadelphia, has suggested two medicines that will prevent me from "passing out".  Is there such a thing?

                                              thank you

                                               ojohnwardo

[jusjames]

i doubt your doctor is making it up!!! what are these two medicines

[mikesimon]

The drug is probably RIFAXIMIN

"Lactulose is the current standard of care for patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE), but the associated adverse effects often lead to poor tolerance and compliance.[1-3] As such, alternatives to lactulose are being sought for use in the first-line or second-line treatment setting. One such alternative agent currently being used by many physicians is rifaximin (a nonabsorbable antibiotic currently approved for the treatment of traveler’s diarrhea), given its widespread availability."

See Clinical Care Options  

http://tinyurl.com/y8udd3q

Mike