Precautions
There is not a drug similar to Xifaxan currently available. Consult with your doctor for more information on this drug and alternative treatments to determine the best drug for you. What is the price of Xifaxan without insurance?
What drug is similar to Xifaxan?
Xifaxan has a low risk of drug interactions because it is poorly absorbed into the blood stream, and it does not significantly affect liver enzymes that break down most drugs. The safety of Xifaxan in pregnant women has not been adequately evaluated.
Does Xifaxan interact with other medications?
There is currently no generic for Xifaxan (rifaximin), so it can be expensive, even with insurance. GoodRx coupons, copay cards and patient assistance programs may help lower the cost. Lowest GoodRx Price Xifaxan (brand)
Is there a generic brand for Xifaxan?
What is Xifaxan (rifaximin) used for?
- Traveler's diarrhea treatment
- Diarrhea in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Hepatic encephalopathy prevention (problem related to liver disease)
What is the medication Xifaxan used to treat?
What can I use instead of Xifaxan?
Xifaxan Alternatives ComparedHyoscyamine.Linzess.Amitiza.Donnatal.Amitriptyline.Librax.
Is dicyclomine the same as Xifaxan?
Xifaxan (rifaximin) and Bentyl (dicyclomine) are used to treat diarrhea from different causes and non-constipating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Xifaxan is used to treat patients 12 years of age and older with travelers' diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli).
What is similar to rifaximin?
Flagyl, Flagyl ER, and Flagyl Injection (metronidazole) and Xifaxan (rifaximin) are antibiotics used to treat small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Flagyl, is also used to treat bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas, amebiasis, and anaerobic bacterial infections.
Is there a generic drug for Xifaxan?
There is currently no generic for Xifaxan (rifaximin), so it can be expensive, even with insurance.
What happens when you stop taking Xifaxan?
Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor. If you stop taking it suddenly, your condition may worsen or you may have unwanted side effects.
What is the best prescription medicine for IBS?
Medications specifically for IBSAlosetron (Lotronex). Alosetron is designed to relax the colon and slow the movement of waste through the lower bowel. ... Eluxadoline (Viberzi). ... Rifaximin (Xifaxan). ... Lubiprostone (Amitiza). ... Linaclotide (Linzess).
Is Ciprofloxacin the same as Xifaxan?
Are Xifaxan and Cipro the Same Thing? Xifaxan (rifaximin) and Cipro (ciprofloxacin) are antibiotics used to treat travelers' diarrhea. Cipro is also used to treat infections of the skin, lungs, airways, bones, joints, and urinary tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
How do I get rid of SIBO without antibiotics?
The following are other tips you can use to naturally treat bacterial overgrowth:Include medium-chain triglycerides in your diet. ... Take digestive enzymes. ... Take supplements such as vitamin B12, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, and vitamins A, D, E, and K. ... Include probiotics in your diet.
What is the best antibiotic for SIBO?
Xifaxan: First Course of Treatment For now, the primary antibiotic used to treat SIBO is Xifaxan (rifaximin ) since most patients seem to benefit from it. 6 Research indicates that Xifaxan, a brand name for the generic drug rifaximin, kills various strains of bacteria, improving symptoms.
What is the difference between rifaximin and Xifaxan?
Rifaximin (Xifaxan) is an oral antibiotic previously marketed for the treatment of traveler's diarrhea and hepatic encephalopathy. It is now also labeled for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea.
Can you take Xifaxan long term?
Rifaximin is safe and well tolerated for long-term maintenance of remission from overt hepatic encephalopathy.
How much does Xifaxan cost per pill?
The cost for Xifaxan oral tablet 550 mg is around $3,143 for a supply of 60 tablets, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans....Oral Tablet.QuantityPer unitPrice30$10.47$314.17
Has a generic version of Xifaxan been approved?
No. There is currently no therapeutically equivalent version of Xifaxan available in the United States.
Related Patents
Patents are granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at any time during a drug's development and may include a wide range of claims.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
What is Xifaxan (rifaximin)?
Xifaxan (rifaximin) is in a drug class called Rifamycin antibiotics. It works to stops gut bacteria from growing, which eventually causes the bacteria to die.
Frequently asked questions about Xifaxan (rifaximin)
Does Xifaxan (rifaximin) have to be taken with food if it works like an antibiotic?
What are the side effects of Xifaxan (rifaximin)?
With any medication, there are risks and benefits. Even if the medication is working, you may experience some unwanted side effects.
What are the risks and warnings for Xifaxan (rifaximin)?
Xifaxan (rifaximin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options
Interactions between Xifaxan (rifaximin) and other medications
Xifaxan (rifaximin) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking.
How much does Xifaxan (rifaximin) cost?
There is currently no generic for Xifaxan (rifaximin), so it can be expensive, even with insurance. GoodRx coupons, copay cards and patient assistance programs may help lower the cost.
What is the latest news about Xifaxan (rifaximin)?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that can interfere with a person’s daily routine. However, plenty of medications are available to help a person with IBS have a high quality of life. Learn more about these medications and the symptoms they help treat with GoodRx.
When Does Xifaxan Go Generic?
Xifaxan received FDA approval initially for the treatment of traveler's diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli on May 26, 2004.
Can You Build A Tolerance To Xifaxan?
It hasn't been reported or documented that you can build a 'tolerance' to Xifaxan (meaning higher/escalating doses are needed to produce similar clinical effects). However, like all antibiotics, there is certainly a risk of bacterial resistance, which could decrease the efficacy of the drug over time.
Xifaxan Alternatives For Hepatic Encephalopathy
Xifaxan is extremely expensive, and its use for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy averages about $1200 per month ( 5 ).
Are Xifaxan and Lactulose the Same Thing?
Xifaxan ( rifaximin) and lactulose solution are used to treat or prevent complications of liver disease ( hepatic encephalopathy).
What Is Xifaxan?
Xifaxan (rifaximin) is an antibiotic indicated for the treatment of patients 12 years of age and older with travelers' diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli ), and to lower the risk of worsened brain function, or hepatic encephalopathy, in adults with liver failure.
What Is Lactulose?
Lactulose solution is a synthetic disaccharide, a type of sugar that is broken down in the large intestine into mild acids that draw water into the colon, which helps soften the stools. Lactulose solution is used to treat chronic constipation.
What Drugs Interact With Xifaxan?
Xifaxan may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
What Drugs Interact With Lactulose?
Lactulose solution may interact with antacids. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Lactulose solution is not expected to be harmful to a fetus. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with lactulose solution.
How Should Xifaxan Be Taken?
Xifaxan (rifaximin) tablets for oral administration are film -coated and contain 200 or 550 mg of rifaximin. Usual dosage is 200 mg three times a day for three days for diarrhea and 550mg twice a day for 3 days for hepatic encephalopathy.
How Should Lactulose Be Taken?
The usual adult, oral dosage of lactulose solution is 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 mL, containing 20 g to 30 g of lactulose) three or four times daily.
The Antibiotic Approach (Rifaximin)
I’m not against antibiotics —they are wonderful when you really need them. I do I try to limit antibiotic prescriptions to cases when they are absolutely necessary, though, since most antibiotics can wreak havoc on your gut flora.
The Herbal Approach
While I probably have more experience treating SIBO with antibiotics, more and more patients either cannot or choose not to go that route. In my experience, the herbs are also quite effective, though.
Recurrence of SIBO
Regardless of the treatment approach, SIBO tends to recur. In most cases this is due to slower bowel motility—often secondary to hypothyroidism, subclinical or otherwise, or high blood sugar which can set you up for gastroparesis.
About the Author: Dr. Lauren
Dr. Lauren Deville is board-certified to practice medicine in the State of Arizona. She received her NMD from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and she holds a BS in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from the University of Arizona, with minors in Spanish and Creative Writing.