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Rifaximax 550mg Tablet

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Product introduction

Rifaximax 550mg Tablet is an antibiotic that treats hepatic encephalopathy, a condition in which the liver fails to remove harmful toxins from the blood, leading to brain damage. It is also used to treat infectious diarrhea. It works by killing and stopping the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestines.

This medicine can be used alone or in combination with other medicines. It may be taken with or without food, preferably at the same time, each day. It should be used in the dose and duration as advised by the doctor. Take it at the same time each day to get the most benefit and you should keep on taking this medicine for as long as you are prescribed. Stopping it early may make the infection to come back and harder to treat.

Some people may develop side effects like vomiting, headache, dizziness, nausea, rashes, joint pain, and depression. These side effects are usually temporary and go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if these side effects bother you or will not go away. Your urine may become reddish in color due to this medicine. But, it is normal and harmless.

Before starting treatment with this medicine, you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or suffering from any liver, kidney or heart problems or if you are allergic to any medicine.

Uses of Rifaximax Tablet

  • Treatment of Hepatic encephalopathy
  • Treatment of Infectious diarrhea

Benefits of Rifaximax Tablet

In Treatment of Hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy is a severe liver disease that can cause changes in brain function leading to confusion, tremors (shaking), sleep problems and loss of consciousness. Symptoms include agitation, confusion, muscle problems, difficulty in speaking, and sometimes, coma. Rifaximax 550mg Tablet lowers the levels of ammonia-producing bacteria in the blood which has harmful effects on the brain. If taken as prescribed, this medicine can improve your brain function and reduce symptoms associated with hepatic encephalopathy.

In Treatment of Infectious diarrhea

Infectious diarrhea is a condition characterized by the sudden onset of loose or watery stools caused by harmful microorganisms in the digestive system. Rifaximax 550mg Tablet helps treat infectious diarrhea by targeting and stopping the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestines. This medicine interferes with the bacteria's ability to make important proteins they need to survive and multiply. This helps to get rid of the bad bacteria causing the infection, which in turn reduces the diarrhea and helps you feel better.

Side effects of Rifaximax Tablet

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Rifaximax

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Peripheral edema
  • Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity)
  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the throat and nasal passages)
  • Joint pain
  • Rash
  • Muscle pain

How to use Rifaximax Tablet

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Rifaximax 550mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How Rifaximax Tablet works

Rifaximax 550mg Tablet is an antibiotic. It works by killing the ammonia-producing bacteria in the digestive tract. This treats your infection and relieves symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy (agitation, confusion, muscle problems). This also helps reduce the recurrence of episodes of hepatic encephalopathy.

Safety advice

Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Rifaximax 550mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Rifaximax 550mg Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Rifaximax 550mg Tablet is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
Driving
SAFE
Rifaximax 550mg Tablet does not usually affect your ability to drive.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Rifaximax 550mg Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Rifaximax 550mg Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.
Liver
CAUTION
Rifaximax 550mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe liver disease. Dose adjustment of Rifaximax 550mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

What if you forget to take Rifaximax Tablet?

If you miss a dose of Rifaximax 550mg Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.
Rifaximax 550mg Tablet
₹47.3/Tablet
Rexigut 550mg Tablet
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Rifagut 550 Tablet
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Quick tips

  • Rifaximax 550mg Tablet reduces the risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in patients with liver disease.
  • It may cause reddish discoloration of urine. This is normal and harmless.
  • Stop taking Rifaximax 550mg Tablet and inform your doctor if you have severe diarrhea during or after using Rifaximax 550mg Tablet.
  • Finish the full course of the medication, even if you feel better.

Fact Box

Chemical Class
Rifamycin derivatives
Habit Forming
No
Therapeutic Class
GASTRO INTESTINAL
Action Class
RNA polymerase inhibitors- Rifamycins

Patient concerns

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hepatic encephalopathy fro 12 October
Dr. Saurav Arora
Homeopathy
Dear sir as your case is a chronic case it requires long case taking, examination and regular follow up, therefore, please visit a homeopath so that he can examine you and guide you accordingly.
Jaundice liver cirrhosis. Hepatic encephalopathy and ascites not edema with Sodium 107. Can we use tolvaptone?
Dr. Gurpreet Singh
Physician
Sir consult a hepatologist
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User feedback


FAQs

Q. Should I take Rifaximax 550mg Tablet with food?

Yes, Rifaximax 550mg Tablet can be taken orally with or without food with a glass of water. Take it as prescribed by your doctor for the exact period of time.

Q. What does Rifaximax 550mg Tablet do for the liver?

In liver disease, there is an increased growth of bacteria in the intestine which increases the load of toxins travelling through the body. This further increases the possibility of toxins reaching the brain which can cause abnormal brain function. Rifaximax 550mg Tablet slows down the growth of bacteria in the gut, decreasing the symptoms in cases of liver disease.

Q. Can Rifaximax 550mg Tablet cause weight gain?

Usually Rifaximax 550mg Tablet does not cause weight gain. However, in case you feel there is an increase in weight, you should consult your doctor to determine the reason of weight gain.

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Disclaimer:

Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

References

  1. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1215-16.
  2. Rifaximin [Package Insert]. Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.; 2015. [Accessed 05 Aug. 2023] (online) Available from:External Link
  3. CiplaMed. Rifaximin [Prescribing Information]. [Accessed 05 Aug. 2023] (online) Available from:External Link

Marketer details

Name: Zuventus Healthcare Ltd
Address: Office No. 5119, 5th Floor, 'D' Wing, Oberoi Garden Estates, Chandivili, Andheri (E), Mumbai - 400 072.
Country of origin: India
Expires on or after: February, 2026

A licensed vendor partner from your nearest location will deliver Rifaximax 550mg Tablet. Once the pharmacy accepts your order, the details of the pharmacy will be shared with you. Acceptance of your order is based on the validity of your doctor's ℞ and the availability of this medicine.

In case of any issues, contact us

Email ID: [email protected]
Address: 5th Floor Tower - B of the Presidency Building, 46/4 Mehrauli Gurgaon Road, Sector 14, Gurugram, Haryana-122001, India

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