Rifaximin

(Xifaxan®)

Xifaxan®

Drug updated on 6/10/2024

Dosage FormTablet (oral; 200 mg, 550 mg)
Drug ClassAntibacterials
Ongoing and
Completed Studies
ClinicalTrials.gov

Indication

  • Indicated for the treatment of travelers’ diarrhea (TD) caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older.
  • Indicated for reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in adults.
  • Indicated for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in adults.

Latest News

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Summary
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  • Rifaximin (Xifaxan) is used for the treatment of travelers’ diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older, the reduction in the risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence in adults, and the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea in adults.
  • Information comes from a total of 15 systematic reviews/meta-analyses documents.
  • Rifaximin has been found significantly effective at improving symptoms such as abdominal bloating and distension associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) or irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), without any notable adverse events compared to placebo groups.
  • For managing Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE), rifaximin significantly reduced incidence rates, risks for HE recurrence, progression from minimal to overt HE but did not reduce mortality rates. It was found comparable to placebos regarding safety profiles, indicating no increased risk for adverse effects.
  • In the treatment of Alcohol-associated hepatitis (AAH), rifaximin was linked to lower infection rates when compared against non-rifaximin therapies, suggesting its role in reducing systemic inflammation/infection rates; however, it didn't show significant differences in short-term/overall mortality.
  • Rifaximin demonstrated a dose-dependent effective eradication rate for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), highlighting its potential use in safely managing associated gastrointestinal symptoms along with underlying diseases related to SIBO conditions.
  • Population considerations indicate that the effectiveness/safety of this drug was assessed among both adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years or older across diverse conditions including FGID, IBS-D, HE, AAH, and SIBO, emphasizing its versatile application range within mixed treatment strategies, especially in combined lactulose treatments targeting complex liver disease management scenarios like HE cases.

Product Monograph / Prescribing Information

Document TitleYearSource
Xifaxan (rifaximin) Prescribing Information.2022Salix Pharmaceuticals, Bridgewater, NJ

Systematic Reviews / Meta-Analyses

Document TitleYearSource
Efficacy of rifaximin in patients with abdominal bloating or distension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.2024Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
Preventive and therapeutic effects of rifaximin on hepatic encephalopathy with differential application dosages and strategies: a network meta-analysis.2024BMC Gastroenterology
Systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of lactulose and rifaximin on patient-reported outcomes in hepatic encephalopathy.2023The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Effectiveness of Rifaximin on the outcomes of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. 2023Cureus
Efficacy and safety of Rifaximin in the prevention of recurrent episodes of hepatic encephalopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2023The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
Rifaximin for prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy in people with cirrhosis.2023The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Effectiveness of rifaximin on the outcomes of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.2023Cureus
Efficacy and safety of rifaximin in the prevention of recurrent episodes of hepatic encephalopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.2023The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
Systematic review and meta-analysis on the effects of lactulose and rifaximin on patient-reported outcomes in hepatic encephalopathy.2023The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Role of rifaximin in the management of alcohol-associated hepatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.2023Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Combination therapy with rifaximin and lactulose in hepatic encephalopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.2022PLOS ONE
Is rifaximin better than nonabsorbable disaccharides in hepatic encephalopathy? A meta-analysis.2021Medicine
Efficacy of rifaximin in treating with small intestine bacterial overgrowth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2021Expert Review of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Efficacy of pharmacological therapies in patients with IBS with diarrhoea or mixed stool pattern: systematic review and network meta-analysis.2020Gut
Combination of rifaximin and lactulose improves clinical efficacy and mortality in patients with hepatic encephalopathy.2018Drug Design, Development and Therapy

Clinical Practice Guidelines