Xifaxan and Diarrhea: What Users Say

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."

• Anonymous
• May 30, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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."

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

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."