Rifaximin and Diarrhea: What Users Say

• Thu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 3, 2020

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I had terrible nausea all the time that was worse about 2 hrs after eating, my stomach would swell up with gas, I was belching but could not throw up, retaining water and terrible gas pain below my sternum. I have heart issues requiring water pills and blood pressure meds. I was stopping taking meds because of nausea and watery and gassy diarrhea, thought it was the end of me. Took all tests which were normal, probiotics made it worse. Finally convinced my Dr to try Xifaxan because read about SIBO on internet. The first 14-day course gave me 80% relief and felt much better, after 3.5 months symptoms came back so had another 14-day prescription. Felt good, now it’s been 3.5 months and symptoms are coming back. Is this possible? Can you stay on Xifaxan long term with 3-4 month intervals? My Dr is unavailable because of COVID virus. Any advice please... thanks"

• vnl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2016

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I used the 14-day dosage...for those 14 days, I suffered extreme gas & bloating with gas pains from my rectum into my shoulders. I was absolutely miserable but carried through, completing the prescription...for the next month or so, I continued to suffer with the extreme gas and pains, which gradually subsided. I suffered with occasional diarrhea, but rare and some constipation, until it all settled down. I have now been 2+ months with normally formed bowel movements. I do rarely have some urgency but the stools are formed, not liquid. This medication has been life-changing for me...I can now sit and enjoy a meal with friends and family without constantly having on my mind that I am, at any point, going to need to rush to the bathroom."

• Anonymous
• August 17, 2008

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "This medicine saved my life. I have IBS and got some virus or something that attacked my bowels and made me sick for 6 weeks until a new doctor gave me this. Within days, I was back on track. From six weeks of weakness and extreme diarrhea, it was nice to be normal again."

• 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."

• hep...
• January 30, 2015

Rifaximin for Hepatic Encephalopathy "I had taken Lactulose for almost 5 years before Xifaxan came out. I had a lot of diarrhea, general bloating, and abdominal discomfort with Lactulose. That all disappeared when I started Xifaxan, and I would encourage patients to do themselves a favor and improve their quality of life by asking their doctor for Xifaxan. My ammonia is less than 25, better than when I took Lactulose, and my feeling of well-being is 10 out of 10."

• MR ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2019

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Xifaxan was prescribed to help my IBS. My stomach tolerated it for 4 days, but now I can’t stay out of the bathroom. It has destroyed my stomach, and I have been taking Pepto and Imodium to slow it down, but to no avail. Be careful, this can wreck your stomach. I regret taking it."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• May 30, 2008

Rifaximin for Diarrhea "I wish Xifaxan wasn't so expensive because it has changed my life. I noticed a huge change in the range of foods that I could eat, and the level of chronic pain and diarrhea I was having after taking a full course (which left me broke)."

• Har...
• February 8, 2016

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I do not recommend this drug at all! I have had IBS for 6 years. This drug made my diarrhea worse! I had great hopes that this drug was going to give me some relief, not so. I do believe that an antibiotic will one day cure this problem. I was given a common antibiotic for a sinus infection on two different occasions, which not only cured my sinuses but also stopped the diarrhea for months. This drug is not the cure, not to mention the fact that this drug costs nearly $2000.00. Please do not assume that I am complaining due to cost, this drug cost me 25.00, my insurance company was the one who paid. I would suggest to this drug company, go back to the drawing board!"

• Dor...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 12, 2016

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have had IBS-D for the past 8 years and am able to manage it with a regular regimen of Xifaxan for the past several years. Every 6 weeks, I go on a 10-day regimen of Xifaxan, and yes, it does get worse when I'm not on it. But I can control the diarrhea and somewhat the bloating. The bloating gets worse with my diet. So watching gas-producing foods is a must."

• SMi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2016

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Sadly, this medication gave no relief at all and actually made things worse... Severe nausea and vomiting on top of constant diarrhea, not an easy thing to multitask if you know what I mean. But hey, all meds work differently for different people. Hope others had better luck than I did."

• 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)."

• 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."

• 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."

• Hol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 15, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Took the drug to treat IBS-D, it was very expensive at 400 bucks for two weeks' worth. After taking only 4 pills, I got severe diarrhea along with extreme bloating that lasted all night. I was so hoping for some magic, but it was not to be. Will not continue with this drug because it was so bad for me."

• 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."

• xif...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 26, 2025

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "The very best medicine for my IBSD. My horrible stomach pain and diarrhea are better in less than 3 days. I have always had great results within 2 to 3 days of Xifaxan. I take it for 10 to 14 days, 3 times a day. Thanks to my doctor for putting me on it!!"

• cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I started taking Zaxine 550 mg three times a day for 2 weeks but had to stop after 6 days. I had trouble with watery diarrhea. I called the doctor, he said to stop the medication. I had stomach pain and diarrhea a couple of hours after eating. Afraid to eat because I will be running to the washroom and can't leave the house. I hope it clears up soon. Can anyone tell me how long I will be waiting?"

• cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I started taking Zaxine 550 mg three times a day for 2 weeks but had to stop after 6 days. I had trouble with watery diarrhea. I called the doctor, he said to stop the medication. I had stomach pain and diarrhea a couple of hours after eating. Afraid to eat because I will be running to the washroom and can't leave the house. I hope it clears up soon. Can anyone tell me how long I will be waiting?"

• car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 11, 2024

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have IBS-D, this works, but only while using it. As soon as I complete 2 weeks of 3x daily pills, I revert back to IBS-D within 3 days. It also works for me at 1 each 550 mg pill a day. The final allowed dose my doctor agreed to try is 1 pill a day for longer relief, it worked. As soon as I stop, my bowels revert back to diarrhea and gas. Why can't it be prescribed as a daily pill? My doctor agrees I should take 1 pill daily. My insurance will only cover 3 two-week treatments a year. My doctor prescribed a 4th treatment, insurance denied."

• Pab...
• March 12, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I've been on this for 4 days, and I've been nothing but bloated and having diarrhea and miserable."

• Tor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2022

For Diarrhea "This gave me even worse diarrhea than I had before. It took almost a full 3 weeks for it to stop. It was seriously horrible."