Rifaximin, Oral

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is taken by mouth to treat travelers' diarrhea caused by E. coli bacteria. This medicine is also used to reduce the risk of hepatic encephalopathy. Take it exactly as directed.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause severe bloody diarrhea that may be life-threatening. It may also cause other unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antibiotic

Generic and brand names: rifaximin, oral; Xifaxan

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat travelers' diarrhea caused by E. coli bacteria. It will not cure viral infections such as colds and the flu.

This medicine is also used to reduce the risk of a brain problem caused by liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy).

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Take the medicine for as long as prescribed, even if you feel better. If you stop taking the medicine too soon, the infection may not be completely gone.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under the age of 12.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cause a life-threatening condition called pseudomembranous colitis. If you develop severe bloody diarrhea while taking this medicine, contact your healthcare provider right away.

You may need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Continuous or severe bloody diarrhea, fever that won’t go away.

Other: Constipation, stomach pain, gas, headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tiredness, flushing, unusual dreams, trouble sleeping.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)

Tell your provider if you have recently been taking antibiotics.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.