Rifaximin Dosage

Medically reviewed on November 10, 2017.

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.

Medical Disclaimer