Rifaximin and Headaches: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2022

Rifaximin for Hepatic Encephalopathy "Life-changing. I have a stage 4 cirrhotic decompensated liver due to PBC and NASH. I was so frustrated, confused, and depressed with HE symptoms. Terrible tinnitus and headache with mood and personality changes signaled it was time to take Lactulose again for a few weeks. I could not tolerate the GI problems or the sickeningly sweet taste of Lactulose daily, so I only took it when I noticed HE symptoms. Now I can comply with the anti-HE regimen easily. No more rollercoaster of symptoms. PBC with liver failure causes miserable fatigue and muscle wasting. To combat that, my nutritionist put me on a high-protein diet. That's only possible because Xifaxan does such a great job! So now my energy levels and mood are pretty close to normal despite being extremely ill. Thanks! Way too expensive, though. I'm fortunate to have good insurance and a doctor who is a pro at arguing for her patients to get the care they deserve, but $100/day is an obscene price!"

• 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."

• 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."

• Eas...
• May 3, 2020

For Crohn's Disease "I am 38 years old. I have had bowel issues my whole life, diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) when I was 15. I ended up having issues with SIBO 1.5 years ago and honestly felt hopeless as my symptoms worsened. My skin was dull, breaking out, terrible gas, bloating, and I was so tired I could barely function. My naturopath is the one who finally told me about rifaximin, my specialist refused to try me on it. After discussing with my family doctor, he finally agreed to prescribe it. It is expensive, but I was willing to try anything at this point. Within the first 24 hours, I knew that it was working. My dose was 550 mg 3 times a day for four weeks. I am currently into my second week. I feel better than I have in years. I am so thankful to have found this medication. I did have headaches and some gas/pain on and off the first week, which is normal with die-off. My skin has cleared up, and I feel normal again. I hope that once I finish the medication, this continues."