Rifaximin

Rifaximin is a non-absorbable antibiotic belonging to the rifamycin group of medications. It is primarily used to treat bacterial infections in the gastrointestinal tract, such as traveler’s diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. Rifaximin works by inhibiting the growth and replication of bacteria, specifically targeting their DNA synthesis.
Since Rifaximin is not absorbed into the bloodstream, it has minimal systemic effects and is not effective against bacterial infections outside the gastrointestinal tract. This feature makes it a safe and well-tolerated option for treating gastrointestinal infections without causing disturbances in the body’s natural bacterial flora.
Rifaximin is typically administered as oral capsules, with a dose of 200 mg taken three times daily for traveler’s diarrhea or 550 mg taken twice daily for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. The medication is generally well-tolerated, with the most common side effects being mild gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, abdominal pain, or diarrhea.