Rifaximin and Pain: What Users Say

• Lul...
• August 25, 2018

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I took this drug for my IBS-C. While I was on it, it did help with my pains but not my bloating after I ate. It actually made me more constipated than before. Just a week after my last pill, I can't eat anything without having pain and a swollen stomach, including gluten-free. Just a way for the doctors to get a kickback or a percentage! Sad world that we are living in."

• Kmi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2018

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Do not take this drug! It made my symptoms of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) ten times worse. Before taking the drug, I had very mild symptoms, just some light feelings of hunger after eating. Now, six days after finishing a two-week course, I’m doubled over in pain, severely constipated, severely depressed, unable to sleep, and in a constant state of emergency. I’m worried that now I have IBS. Please do not take this drug."

• Dee...
• November 11, 2015

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I have been suffering for years with upper abdominal pain severe, so bad once I went to the ER. They came up with slow motility, along with my GI doctor ordering the test. Breath tests for H. pylori - negative. Endoscopies showed gastritis. Went gluten-free, this helped tremendously, but then recently an attack of the abdominal pain, shooting to the left side, severe bloating, hard to have a BM. My GI doctor said let's try Xifaxan 550 mg three times a day for two weeks. Within my second dose, I feel much better! I hope this continues. The drug is expensive, but go on the Xifaxan site to download your coupon, it should cost less depending on your insurance. I hope we can all get relief from this little wonder!"

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2019

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have IBS-mostly D and lots and lots of lower abdominal cramping that I can't get under control. My Dr. prescribed this for me to help control the cramping. It seemed to work for the first few days, and then BAM! Stomach pain, and sharp shooting pains in my rectum and lower abdomen! So I stopped taking it. Also, my frequency to the bathroom did not change, nor did the D."

• 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)."

• 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."

• War...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2019

For Crohn's Disease "Experienced a Crohn's flare after 2 years remission and couldn’t leave my house for 4 days. Finally went to my primary doctor since my GI doc didn’t have an appointment sooner, and they Pdoc prescribed 60 mg of prednisone. It wasn’t helping much, it just minimized the pain and didn’t touch the other dreaded symptoms. I remembered my GI doctor giving me rifaximin two years ago and called my primary doctor and asked for a prescription, and 2 days later my pain is reduced by 80%, bowel movements are reduced from 10-20 a day to 3-5, and my energy is returning. I feel this, plus the steroids working in tandem, is making all the difference. I feel a lot better already and hopeful that I continue with this positive response as I did two years ago with this drug. Two years ago, I felt like a normal person and stayed in remission this whole time. I have had a tremendous amount of stress lately and believe it brought on my flare. I’m glad to see that rifaximin is helping other Crohn's sufferers as well, and this is promising news."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2021

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome "I was put on this to try to treat SIBO. Never got a SIBO test, though. I only have 4 days to go, but I need to stop, I can't finish. I've already gained 5 pounds and am more bloated and painful than where I started. This drug is bad, and I hope my bloating that I got from this goes down soon."