Rifax 550 mg (Tablet)

Indications

• 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

• Semisynthetic, rifamycin-based non-systemic antibiotic
• Inhibits bacterial RNA synthesis
• Shows broad spectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria

Dosage & Administration

• 200 mg 3 times daily for 3 days (Traveler's Diarrhea, patients ≥12 years)
• 550 mg 2 times daily (Hepatic Encephalopathy, patients ≥18 years)
• 400 mg 3 times daily for 10 days or 550 mg 3 times daily for 14 days (Bacterial overgrowth of irritable bowel syndrome)

Interaction

• Induces CYP3A4 in vitro
• At recommended dosing regimen, not expected to induce CYP3A4 in patients with normal liver function

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to Rifaximin or rifamycin antimicrobial agents
• Hypersensitivity to any components of the product

Side Effects

• Flatulence
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Rectal tenesmus
• Defecation urgency
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Pyrexia
• Vomiting
• Anaphylaxis
• Angioneurotic edema
• Exfoliative dermatitis

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Pregnancy category C
• Unknown excretion in human milk

Precautions & Warnings

• Not effective in patients with diarrhea complicated by fever and/or blood in the stools
• Discontinue if diarrhea symptoms worsen or persist for more than 24-48 hours
• Consider pseudomembranous colitis in patients presenting with diarrhea after antibiotic administration

Use in Special Populations

• Pharmacokinetics in patients with renal impairment not studied
• Markedly elevated systemic exposure in patients with hepatic impairment

Overdose Effects

• No specific overdose treatment information available
• Discontinue Rifax, treat symptomatically, and institute supportive measures

Therapeutic Class

• 4-Quinolone preparations

Storage Conditions

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

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