Rifaximin and Stomach Pain: What Users Say

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2016

Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "It started to work during the two weeks I was on it. I was still going to the bathroom, but it wasn't that awful urgent, you better go now or have an accident. Those two weeks were much better. However, once it was over, I have been worse than I was even before the medicine. Now I have severe stomach pain, foul-smelling gas and stool, I'm very bloated, and when I get the feeling I need the bathroom, I need to find one fast because it WILL come out no matter if I'm in the bathroom or not. I really had very high hopes that this would be just what I needed to help. I've had IBS-D all my life, but it was diagnosed years ago when I was 16."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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?"