People who should not take rifaximin are people with diarrhea that is complicated by blood in the poop or fever or diarrhea that is caused by pathogens other than Escherichia coli.
Rifaximin is a broad spectrum and poorly absorbed antibiotic which is thought to reduce ammonia production by eliminating ammonia producing colonic bacteria.
Rifaximin is an antibiotic that works by killing the bacteria and preventing its growth.
However, rifaximin will not work for colds or flu.
The antibiotic rifaximin is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, reduce the risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence in adults, and treat travelers' diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli.
Rifaximin is commonly used to treat traveler's diarrhea that is caused by a bacteria called Escherichia coli.
Rifaximin is also used to prevent hepatic encephalopathy, which is a condition that occurs when your liver does not work normally.
The antibiotic rifaximin is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea.
If you are taking rifaximin to treat traveler's diarrhea, your symptoms should improve within 24 to 48 hours after you start taking the medication.
If your symptoms do not go away or they get worse, or if you develop a fever or bloody diarrhea, call your doctor.
Rifaximin has activity against anaerobic, gram-positive, and gram-negative bacteria, including Clostridium difficile.
It is not systemically absorbed and is active only in the gastrointestinal tract.
It may work by reducing bacterial byproducts and altering intestinal microbiota.