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Rifaximin: a nonabsorbed oral antibiotic

Danial E Baker1

  • 1College of Pharmacy, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA.

Reviews in Gastroenterological Disorders
|March 3, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Rifaximin, a poorly absorbed antibiotic, effectively treats travelers' diarrhea and shows promise for various gastrointestinal disorders like hepatic encephalopathy and inflammatory bowel disease.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Pharmacology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Rifaximin is a rifamycin-class antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity.
  • Its poor gastrointestinal absorption limits systemic effects, focusing its use on intestinal conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the efficacy of rifaximin in treating travelers' diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders.
  • To discuss the drug's pharmacokinetic profile, clinical applications, and safety.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical studies demonstrating rifaximin's effectiveness.
  • Analysis of pharmacokinetic data, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, adverse reactions, and dosing.

Main Results:

  • Rifaximin is as effective as ciprofloxacin for travelers' diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli.
  • It is ineffective against Campylobacter jejuni infections.
  • Potential applications include hepatic encephalopathy, intestinal gas, diverticular disease, bacterial overgrowth, pouchitis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease.

Conclusions:

  • Rifaximin is a valuable therapeutic option for travelers' diarrhea.
  • Its utility extends to managing several other significant gastrointestinal conditions.
  • Further research and clinical application are warranted for its expanded use.

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