rifaximin

rifaximin,

a miscellaneous antiinfective.

indication This drug is used to treat traveler's diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli in adults and children older than 12 years of age.

contraindications Known hypersensitivity to this drug prohibits its use.

adverse effects Adverse effects of this drug include abnormal dreams, dizziness, insomnia, and vomiting. Common side effects include abdominal pain, constipation, defecation urgency, flatulence, nausea, rectal tenesmus, headache, and pyrexia.

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rifaximin

Xifaxan

Pharmacologic class: Rifampin-related antibiotic

Therapeutic class: Anti-infective

Pregnancy risk category C

Action

Binds to beta-subunit of bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, inhibiting bacterial RNA synthesis

Availability

Tablets: 200 mg

⊘Indications and dosages

➣ Travelers' diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli

Adults and children age 12 and older: 200 mg P.O. three times daily for 3 days

Off-label uses

• Hepatic encephalopathy

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to drug, its components, or rifamycin anti-infectives

Precautions

Use cautiously in:
• elderly patients
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients
• children (safety and efficacy not established in those younger than age 12).

Administration

• Administer with or without food.
• Don't give to patients with diarrhea complicated by fever or blood in stool or to patients with suspected Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella, or Salmonella infection.

Route	Onset	Peak	Duration
P.O.	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown

Adverse reactions

CNS: headache

GI: nausea, vomiting, constipation, flatulence, abdominal pain, rectal tenesmus, defecation urgency, pseudomembranous colitis

Other: pyrexia, overgrowth of susceptible organisms

Interactions

None

Patient monitoring

• Monitor for fever, blood in stools, and worsening of diarrhea.
• Monitor patient's fluid and electrolyte status.
• Monitor for new infections; if needed, consider alternative therapy.

Patient teaching

• Tell patient drug can be taken with or without food.
☞ Advise patient to stop drug and notify prescriber if diarrhea symptoms worsen or last beyond 48 hours.
• As appropriate, review all other significant or life-threatening adverse reactions.