Rifaximin User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

• Rud...
• January 5, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I am from San Diego, CA, and I just wanted to let you know that this drug is great. It has been around in Mexico for ages, and it's called Flonorm. You can get a full two-week dose for $30 dls. I've been on and off four times with no bad side effects. My IBS-D comes back after a couple of weeks if I'm off it. I can't help but wonder if there is a bad bacteria in there that just won't go away?"

• Che...
• July 15, 2017

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have IBS with diarrhea. Out of pocket price $500.00 for Xifaxan 550 mg, three pills a day. It did not work for me at all. After two weeks of the pills diligently taken, waste of money. I had no side effects, but the pills did not work for me, the diarrhea persists, as does nausea, sweating, and stomach cramps. I have run out of ideas, as has the doctor. Don't waste your money."

• Spa...
• October 23, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "GI doctor prescribed rifaximin for my IBS. He made it sound like this is a miracle drug with no side effects. I was supposed to take it 3x a day for two weeks. The side effects started the very first day on the medication. For some reason, it made my bloating much worse! The bloating was painful and caused back pain with difficulty sleeping. I normally have a lot of gas and all of a sudden stopped being able to pass any. Eating any food caused increased stomach pain. I also started getting headaches with fatigue. I was willing to put up with the headaches and fatigue, but the increased amount of bloating and stomach pain made it too difficult to stay on the medication. I only lasted 3 days on the medication and had to stop. I checked with the pharmacist, and she didn't understand why my doctor said Xifaxan was a completely safe medication because it can cause side effects. The GI doctor had no other suggestions to help me, so I'm back to living with constant IBS."

• rio...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2022

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "This is a nightmare drug. I was given this drug for a course of two weeks after testing positive for SIBO, but I only made it 5 days in because the side effects were so intense. Any food or drink at all would set my stomach off to levels I hadn't ever experienced before, I was perpetually exhausted, but I couldn't sleep at all. I developed violent and depressive thoughts. And even after taking it for only 5 days, I'm 3 weeks out from stopping, and these symptoms have only just SLIGHTLY improved (with the help of many, many OTC drugs-I'm sure if I stopped taking those, it'd be just as bad). My entire body feels ruined. I personally know one other person who suffered similarly but for a shorter time thanks to this drug. I would heavily advise people not to take it for this particular condition, in hindsight, it was not worth the risk."

• Roo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 24, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "After being very ill for over a year and enduring test after test and medication after medication, I was 40 pounds lighter and living in my bedroom because every smell of food made me nauseous. I had tried Linzess, Amitiza, and Trulance, which all had awful side effects. Finally, a doctor prescribed Xifaxan, even though my breath test came back normal. It took 2 courses to work, but when it did, I felt SO much better and like I had come back to the land of the living! For me, it is a miracle medication. I do have to take repeated courses every couple of months because my symptoms keep returning, and my doctors can’t figure out why. Other than the outrageous price for the medication, it is a miracle medication, and I am grateful my insurance covers it. I was at my wit's end and ready to talk surgery. If you take it, just know that it may take 2 courses to work, so stick with it."

• Jud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2020

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Was prescribed Xifaxan for 2 weeks for bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. It did help but didn't fully get rid of symptoms. I had sickness after eating, gas, stomach pain, etc. Was an improvement, though. I do have insurance, and the pharmacy had to use one coupon at a time, 2 pills per prescription. It was a pain, but I paid 50 dollars total."

• sib...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I’m on my 5th-7th doses of rifaximin 550 mg tid for small bacterial overgrowth. Have developed difficulty urinating despite drinking tons of water. Also, vague sensation of burning and pain. Urinalysis negative. Curious whether others have had this."

• can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2017

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Do not take this drug unless you have been diagnosed with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). I was given this drug by a new GI after I told him that I had been tested for SIBO with negative results. The drug made me incredibly bloated, made the diarrhea worse, and my stomach was in constant pain. This might be effective if you have SIBO, but if you do not, do not take this drug. Not to mention, even with insurance coverage, my co-pay for a 2-week supply was around $500. I just totally wasted my money on this (yet again, useless drug)."

• RN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I took 2 courses of this two months apart. Both months, my period or period symptoms did not come, which I will call a win for me! My IBS symptoms have been in control for 9 years now! Sadly, they are back, and I'm ready to take this again. Also, 100% got rid of my GERD. I am a big advocate of rifaximin for IBD-D people."

• Dev...
• August 21, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I've nearly completed a course of rifaximin for SIBO. My burping and bloating after eating are improved, and I'm finally having normal bowel movements. What a relief! (I hope I stay well because I have heard that many people experience a recurrence after treatment.) I did have significant muscle pain and muscle weakness while on the medicine. No other side effects. I will give an update in a few months."

• Pau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2022

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Keeping in mind my GI told me the digestive system is not completely understood, and there is a lot of guesswork. Drugs seemed to work for me. Four years ago, I had extreme bloating and gas pains after eating meatloaf. Two weeks on Rifaximin, and I was back to normal. I was taking the 550. Actually, within three days, I was 80% better. Just had Spanish food a month ago, December 2021. My GF got sick but was fine in 48 hours. I have been sick for a month! My GI explained food poisoning can actually damage the nerves in your intestines and throw the entire system off for months after the infection has left the body. I'm taking 200 mg a day times three. Seven days in, I feel much better, not all the way yet, will take for another week. A low FODMAP diet helps."

• Ban...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Trialing this protocol for IBS. Morning: Xifaxan + Probiogen (spore probiotics) before meals: HCL Betaine + fiber. Between meals: Hardy’s Daily Essential Nutrients (4 pills x 3). Evening: Xifaxan. Diet: low FODMAP, no sugar. Addressing poor digestion and the possibility of bad bacteria populating the gut lining. The only diagnosis has been IBS and anxiety. Have had success with HCL Betaine + S. Boullardii + probiotic (lacto bifido) until it stopped working. Figured the probiotic was feeding the bacterial overgrowth, but for a moment the results were amazing. If poor digestion stopped serotonin production, to me, it felt like it started up again. So this protocol has been created on the back of this momentary reprieve. Will update in 2 weeks."

• 385...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 1, 2023

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have taken Xifaxan a few times. I believe 3 rounds of 14 days over the last 2 years. Sadly, the IBS always comes back, and it seems like the more I took Xifaxan, the less effect it started to have, but it still helps. My doctor just put me on a 14-day regimen but has authorized me to use it every month now, but only 1 pill a day. I just wonder if 1 pill a day is enough as long as I continue to take it."

• Tim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2022

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "My doctor thought my IBS symptoms might be from SIBO, so he prescribed Xifaxan 550 mg x3 per day. After taking it for two days, I had to stop. My diarrhea became so bad, I was forced to stay up all night. I'm very glad it helps some people, but it definitely made my condition worse."

• Zul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "It's a mask for a deeper-rooted issue within your body. I hesitantly took it, and it turned my IBS-D into IBS-C. However, it improved my quality of life a lot. I no longer had to run to the bathroom all of the time. It lasted about 5 months, and my symptoms are starting to show again. If you're okay with having to do this med over and over, this is a good fix for you, but it won't ever solve the problem. I would see a naturopath or holistic doctor instead of taking this and get to the root of your digestion issue. Have them run some tests, like for parasites, food intolerances, parasites, etc. Good luck, and please know you're not alone!"

• Pam...
• August 20, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Prescribed this after a long battle of mysterious illness ending with an IBS-D diagnosis. It worked very well while I was on it but right back to ground zero after. I was never advised to follow any diet, etc., while taking the meds, and one thing I've recently read is that you need bile to bind to this med to really work. I have trouble with bile and wish I'd been informed of this. I would have tried ox bile with the script. Those who have not had success may consider this."

• Its...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2022

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Had been suffering from crazy bloating and belching/gas within 30-90 minutes after eating for months. Chest would get tight, bad enough that it gave me an anxiety attack or two. Heartburn from the gas riding up the esophagus. I've always loved eating but was starting to not want to eat meals because of the constant discomfort. Saw a new GI doctor who suspected SIBO and prescribed Xifaxan. The first couple of days were a bit rough in the bowels; there was definitely something going on. After that, side effects went down to minimal, and eating started getting easier again! Still finishing the prescription, but this is the most hopeful I've felt in a while. It really seems to work!"

• IBS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was diagnosed with IBS-Diarrhea by my PCP. Recently changed my PCP as the old guy retired. I was using a lot of OTC products for my IBS-D, which was also diagnosed by the new PCP. He started me on rifaximin 550 two times a day for 14 days, and this worked wonders. It’s expensive, but I got a coupon and saved money. Thanks, Valeant, but I still think you should decrease the price of it."

• Nom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 23, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have IBS SIBO, and when I have a bad attack, I take rifaximin 550 2 times daily. I can tell you this drug works overnight for me. I take it for 7 days and have relief for around 7 to 8 weeks. It is a wonder drug for me."

• FAR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2022

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I needed this medicine for my son who is 12 and suddenly had diarrhea attacks that would not go away. The doctor prescribed it, but sadly the insurance would not cover it. I didn't know what to do. I then went to foreign pharmacies and found it. The price here is crazy for this medicine. They charge over $2000 for this. I ordered 100 pills for $50.00 + $30.00 in shipping. I couldn't believe it. The drug works well so far and is pure and made by a reputable drug manufacturer there. It has taken away my son's diarrhea, and I hope it doesn't come back. He hasn't been able to have a normal life. He cannot study or concentrate because his stomach hurts so badly."

• Joh...
• June 29, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have had severe gas, bloating, and flatulence ever since I was treated for heartburn, turned out I had hiatus hernia and Barrett's esophagus. When I went back to the doctor, he was all about IBS. Gave me rifaximin for 14 days, didn't help me at all, made things worse. Went to another one after a few months, gave me more for 14 days, made things even worse. Now I have so much gas that I can barely get out of the house. Read online and tried rifaximin with metronidazole, and things are as bad as it can get. I simply suggest not to take this medicine, better to try the right diet and naturopathy instead of taking this and making things worse."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 16, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "After taking the medication for 1 week, I developed flu-like symptoms, severe coughing, especially during the night. After checking the side effects of this medication, I came to realize my condition was caused by this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 6, 2017

For Hepatic Encephalopathy "Xifaxan did not work for me. I am diagnosed with 'covert' or 'mild' hepatic encephalopathy. It's debilitating but not obvious to anyone but me...until I make a mistake or say something *random*. Worst at sunrise and sunset. Intermittent aphasia. Horrible when dehydration snowballs into IBS. As I understand it, this is a non-persistent antibiotic that eliminates bacteria that produce ammonia. The thing is, my ammonia levels are not high. I think this is why rifaximin doesn't seem to do anything for my situation. My suggestion would be to use this product when someone has the 'wet brain' sort of episodes; that is to say, when ammonia levels in the blood are very high."

• Liz...
• March 29, 2017

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Started medication for IBS three days ago and have had significant improvement. It's amazing, I actually was able to go to a restaurant today and not worry about having to rush to the bathroom there or dash to one after leaving. Only concern is reading about the limited amount of time it works for. Does anyone know why you can only be retreated twice? Have other users found the time estimates for improvement to be accurate?"

• A -...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2015

Rifaximin for Crohn's Disease "Turns out I jumped the gun in touting Xifaxan as a potential prednisone replacement for flare remission - at least on its own. The initial symptomatic relief continued but hit a plateau, requiring the addition of a corticosteroid. So my doctor additionally put me on Entocort EC, but this flare remains stubborn. No longer willing to suffer, I requested prednisone. Day 3 and striking improvements. I will taper off the prednisone using Entocort to reap the corticosteroid benefits while minimizing the nasty side effects. But because Xifaxan is so well tolerated, I stayed on it and will continue - probably even after a hopefully successful taper off the prednisone and Entocort. I'm curious as to whether Xifaxan can be used in conjunction with probiotics."