Traveler’s Diarrhea: Xifaxan Now FDA-Approved
The FDA has approved rifaximin(Xifaxan), from Salix Pharmaceuticals,Inc., for treatment of traveler’sdiarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli. Rifaximinis a nonsystemic, GI-selective, oralantibiotic; the recommended dosageis 200 mg tid for 3 days.
Traveler's DiarrheaThe FDA has approved rifaximin(Xifaxan), from Salix Pharmaceuticals,Inc., for treatment of traveler'sdiarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli. Rifaximinis a nonsystemic, GI-selective, oralantibiotic; the recommended dosageis 200 mg tid for 3 days.Rifaximin is not effective in patientswith diarrhea complicated byfever and/or blood in the stool or diarrheacaused by pathogens otherthan E coli. The medication should bediscontinued if diarrhea symptomsintensify or persist for longer than 24to 48 hours: in this setting, alternativeantibiotic treatments should be considered.The most common side effectsare flatulence, headache, abdominalpain, and tenesmus.
