Rifaximin Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 27, 2023.

Applies to rifaximin: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check the progress of you or your child to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you or your child should continue to take it. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor right away if the diarrhea does not stop in 1 or 2 days or if you or your child develop a fever or have blood in your stool.

A person can become dehydrated if too much fluid is lost from the body with diarrhea. Make sure you or your child drink plenty of fluids while you have diarrhea. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have more than one of the following symptoms: decreased urination, dizziness, dry mouth, increased thirst, or lightheadedness.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of rifaximin

Along with its needed effects, rifaximin may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rifaximin:

Other side effects of rifaximin

Some side effects of rifaximin may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to rifaximin: oral tablet.

General adverse events

When used for the treatment of travelers' diarrhea, the most common side effect was headache. This drug was discontinued due to side effects in 0.4% of patients; such side effects were taste loss, dysentery, decreased weight, anorexia, nausea, and nasal passage irritation.

When used for reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence, the most common side effects were peripheral edema, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and ascites.

When used for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, the most common side effects were nausea and increased ALT.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 14.3%), ascites (11.4%), flatulence (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, abdominal distension, rectal tenesmus, upper abdominal pain, defecation urgency, constipation, stomach discomfort, vomiting, lower abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, dry mouth, esophageal variceal bleed, diarrhea, bloating and distension, nausea and vomiting symptoms
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry lips, dyspepsia, gastrointestinal motility disorder, hard feces, hematochezia, mucous stools, taste disorders
• Frequency not reported: Blood in stool, dysentery, fecal abnormality, gingival disorder, inguinal hernia, straining, bad taste in mouth, Clostridium colitis
• Postmarketing reports: Clostridioides difficile-associated colitis^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Peripheral edema (15%), fatigue (up to 12.1%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Pyrexia, chest pain, pain, generalized edema, influenza-like illness, contusion, fall, procedural pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ear pain, candidiasis, hot flush, edema, herpes simplex, asthenic conditions, pain and discomfort, chills
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Asthenia
• Frequency not reported: Motion sickness, malaise, hot flashes
• Postmarketing reports: Clostridial infections (C difficile)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (up to 13%), headache (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Vertigo, amnesia, disturbance in attention, hypoesthesia, memory impairment, tremor
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Balance disorders, convulsion, attention disorders, migraine, paresthesia, sinus headache, somnolence
• Frequency not reported: Syncope, tinnitus, loss of taste
• Postmarketing reports: Presyncope, syncope^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reactions
• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions (including exfoliative dermatitis, rash, angioneurotic edema [swelling of face and tongue and difficulty swallowing], urticaria, pruritus, flushing, anaphylaxis), anaphylactic responses, angioedemas, hypersensitivity^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity reactions have occurred as early as within 15 minutes of drug administration.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash, cellulitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eruptions and exanthemas, sunburn, hyperhidrosis/increased sweating, cold sweat
• Frequency not reported: Clamminess
• Postmarketing reports: Angioedema, dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis, eczema, erythemas, pruritus, purpura, urticarias^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Muscle spasms, arthralgia, back pain, myalgia, pain in extremity
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Neck pain, muscular weakness
• Frequency not reported: Increased blood creatine phosphokinase
• Postmarketing reports: Rhabdomyolysis^[Ref]

Rhabdomyolysis has been reported in patients with cirrhosis (with and without concurrent statin use).^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anemia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Lymphocytosis, monocytosis, neutropenia
• Postmarketing reports: Thrombocytopenia, INR abnormalities^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Cough, nasopharyngitis, dyspnea, upper respiratory tract infection, rhinitis, pneumonia, epistaxis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pleural effusion, pharyngitis, oropharyngeal pain, rhinorrhea, dry throat, nasal congestion
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Frequency not reported: Respiratory tract infection, nasal passage irritation, pharyngolaryngeal pain^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depression, insomnia, confusional state
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anxiety, hypersomnia, abnormal dreams, depressed mood, nervousness^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased weight, anorexia, dehydration, hyperglycemia, hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Decreased appetite
• Frequency not reported: Decreased weight^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitations, increased blood pressure
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypertension^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary tract infection, dysuria, polyuria, proteinuria, pollakiuria, blood in urine present, glycosuria, polymenorrhea
• Frequency not reported: Choluria, hematuria, urinary frequency^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased ALT
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased AST
• Postmarketing reports: Liver function test abnormalities^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diplopia^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Rifaximin side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer