Rifaximin Dosage
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on April 2, 2019.
Applies to the following strengths: 550 mg; 200 mg
Usual Adult Dose for:
Usual Pediatric Dose for:
Additional dosage information:
Usual Adult Dose for Traveler's Diarrhea
200 mg orally 3 times a day for 3 days
Comments:
-Should not use in patients with diarrhea complicated by fever and/or blood in the stool or diarrhea caused by pathogens other than Escherichia coli
Use: For the treatment of travelers' diarrhea due to noninvasive strains of E coli
Usual Adult Dose for Hepatic Encephalopathy
550 mg orally twice a day
Comments:
-In trials, lactulose was used concomitantly in 91% of patients; differences in treatment effect of patients not using concomitant lactulose could not be assessed.
Use: For reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence
Usual Adult Dose for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
550 mg orally 3 times a day for 14 days
Comments:
-If symptoms recur, patients can be retreated up to 2 times with the same dose regimen.
Use: For the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
Usual Pediatric Dose for Traveler's Diarrhea
12 years or older: 200 mg orally 3 times a day for 3 days
Comments:
-Should not use in patients with diarrhea complicated by fever and/or blood in the stool or diarrhea caused by pathogens other than E coli
Use: For the treatment of travelers' diarrhea due to noninvasive strains of E coli
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Mild or moderate liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh A or B): No adjustment recommended.
Severe liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh C): Caution is recommended.
Comments:
-This drug was not studied in hepatic encephalopathy patients with Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores greater than 25; in the controlled trial, only 8.6% of patients had MELD scores over 19.
-Systemic exposure increased with more severe liver dysfunction.
Precautions
Travelers' diarrhea: Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 12 years.
Hepatic encephalopathy, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration advice:
-May administer with or without food
General:
-Culture and susceptibility information should be considered when selecting/modifying antibacterial therapy or, if no data are available, local epidemiology and susceptibility patterns may be considered when selecting empiric therapy.
Patient advice:
-If using for travelers' diarrhea, seek medical attention for fever and/or blood in the stool.
-Avoid missing doses and complete the entire course of therapy.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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