Rifaximin and Cramps: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• March 2, 2012

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "It definitely helped with cramping and diarrhea, but I still did have the occasional episode of diarrhea. However, after 5 months, I'm back to where I started. I don't know how I feel about having to take an antibiotic every 5 months or if that's even recommended or safe."

• Pla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2013

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I had tropical sprue twice with parasites and have been suffering since 1969, Vietnam and the Gulf War, to the present with diarrhea, bloating, cramps, flatus, and perianal fungal infections. Nothing worked except this medication to stop the frequent loose stools and a host of other symptoms. I had every test that the GI doctors could dream up. I have taken every probiotic known, and none of them have worked to reduce the symptoms. I have done every elimination diet and also been on Chinese medicine and treatments. I have used it for two courses of treatment with remarkable results, a 90% reduction of symptoms overall. I am a retired RN."

• bik...
• June 2, 2015

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Tested positive for SIBO. I had asked my GI doc for that test. Was happy to have an answer after years of suffering. I am also hypoglycemic, so the actual test for SIBO had my blood sugar super low... probably 2 days to recover from that! The first 2 days on the drug, I have felt dizzy and tired, and my arms super tingly (?). But the BMs improved immediately, so I didn't want to stop the Xifaxan. Now at 4 days, I'm not sure. Sometimes I start feeling amazing. I am also following a diet for candida and paying close attention to food combining. Just today, I started feeling the abdominal cramping come back! Really not sure what to do here...."

• Anonymous
• September 23, 2009

Rifaximin for Crohn's Disease "It took a few days for it to start working. I'm taking 2 pills a day. The first few days felt bad cramps, but after that, it felt like a complete cure. No bathroom trips, gained weight, I can eat anything without feeling bloated."

• Yme...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2020

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I started taking Xifaxan for suspected IBS and started having severe abdominal cramping within a few days. I called my doc six days in and told him I was in severe pain and had a low-grade fever, and he told me it’s normal to finish the 14-day course of treatment. I have suffered severe lower abdominal cramping. This is so bad I can’t stay silent when it happens, moaning and crying like a drama queen!"

• Sam...
• January 22, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "So about 6 years ago, I was diagnosed with IBS/acid reflux and was put on Librax and Omeprazole MD. It kept me out of the hospital (for the most part) but still left me in pain. About two years ago, I quit smoking and took out gluten and dairy from my life, and everything was awesome! BUT THEN... about 2 months ago, the pain came back the way it had years ago, but 10-fold. So I went to a new GI, and he had tested me for something I never heard of, SIBO, and it came back positive. He immediately prescribed me this medication. This is my second day on it, and all I can say is I pray it works. I have read some reviews speaking of headaches and cramping, I have experienced both, however, like I said, it’s only my second day on it. I hope it works and fast because I am typing this while hunched over in pain."

• No...
• August 21, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Got rifaximin prescribed for SIBO without an official diagnosis. No testing was done for SIBO—just the doctor's assumption from the symptoms I was having. I took it for 3 days (3x a day), and I HAD to quit. The stomach pain/cramping is unbearable. I have bouts of nausea constantly, and I have more diarrhea than ever. I wasn’t even suffering from diarrhea before this drug. Pretty disappointed and upset. I hope these side effects are not long-term, considering I cut my dosage short—for obvious reasons."

• Roc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2020

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "Didn't do anything for my irritable bowel syndrome. I still continue to have abdominal cramping and gas even after taking this rifaximin antibiotic for two weeks."