Xifaxan (rifaximin) Side Effects, Uses Dosages
Side Effects for Xifaxan (rifaximin)
I'm no longer taking this medication. This medication did not do anything for my issues. After the fact I think a lot of the issues were due to stress. I had a CT Scan that was normal and showed no abnormality.
I would take a lot of caution when taking this medication.
Constant nausea and dizziness. Missed more days of work while taking it than I did in the last 5 years. Symptoms are constant and harsh even after stopping. Waiting for them to go away.
It definitely helped with frequency and consistency but I can't say it was worth the lingering side effects.
Took this for sibo. Helped clear my acne, had less burping and could eat a lot of foods I was unable to tolerate. Experienced a bit of headache and nausea but it passed once I finished the course. Did wonders for my gut inflammation. If taking this pair it with s boulardii to prevent any c diff or other dysbiosis
First two days I felt nauseated and anxious, came to a head third night when I started hallucinating/ having vivid fever dreams and massive anxiety in the middle of the night, followed by shaking/convulsions. It was the most scared I've been in a long time. I had to take a clonazepam in hopes it would knock me out (it just makes me tired) and after about a half an hour of pains and shaking uncontrollably I fell asleep. Let my dr know in the morning and he told me to stop taking it. (Duhh)
I wouldn't recommend this medication unless it's a last ditch effort and you're basically dying- and your insurance covers most of it. Original price was well over $2000 and that's ridiculous.
In the begin I was feeling all right but after I experienced stomach cramps i was thinking fine maybe this is how itshould be so I continued till day 7 when I experienced so much pain in all my stomach before I had pain in my upper area after xifaksan all my belly.be aware when you start to experience that stop immediately! It will get worse.this is a warning from me as I destroyed my stomach and can't get better after taking it if anybody experienced similar problem please contact me to discuss if went away and what helped --my e mail
After the last dose, I had voluminous, orange watery diarrhea for HOURS. I had to cancel my GI's appointment as I could not leave the house. The GI laughingly told me that Xifaxan gave me leaky gut. He was PROUD to tell me this.
I am 1 year and 290 days past my last dose. As a result of this medicine, I cannot eat raw fruits or vegetables, grains, dairy, or fatty food. I still cannot leave the house as I do not know when I will have the need to use the bathroom. My ALT was elevated for a year. I have consulted with doctor after doctor and dieticians and no one knows what to do with my gut. I am sorry I ever took this medicine and would NOT recommend it to anyone. It should be taken off the market.
Severe bloating and pains front and back. Gas and belging did not have before taking xifaxan. Constipation back. Not good for me disappointed. 11 years trying to figure out diagnosed with everything.
Mild nausea but constant so I feel nauseous all day and feel bloated and icky
Urgency but not diarrhea. No stomach pain. A little drowsiness.
Extremely dizzy, tired, got heart palpatations, instant sweats, anxiety. .... rash on forehead, this medication made me feel so bad, and bloated
Headache, bloating, achy joints, dizziness
Didn't work at all. Made me feel terrible.
This drug is not working for me my left side under my breast is like someone is pouring acid in me burns really bad and hurts. They took so many ultrasounds and the disappointments of not finding anything frustrates me I feel like I'm going crazy and no one understands, it's affecting my job I had to call out a lot due to the pain I get at night and I can't sleep so I have to call out I got written up due to that but I can't seem to get my doctor to understand this is serious
Crohn's disease with loose stool.
I have used Xifaxan several times over the last decade. I get SIBO regularly because of abdominal surgery that I had which affected transit times. The surgery also caused IBS-D. Xifaxan increases my energy and also lowers inflammation which I believe are caused by the SIBO.
Made me feel dull and stupid, slightly sleepy. I am taking saccharomyces boullardii with it, to prevent a lot of bad possible things that can happen in the gut. I haven't quite finished the course, but it definitely helped with stomach pain and diarrhea. I've been informed that you cannot simply treat SIBO with an antibiiotic and have it stay gone. You have to change what you eat, so as not to encourage the overgrowth of bacteria to recurr. So I am working with a registered dietitian to get a nutrition plan, and will no doubt be eating yogurt and taking probiotics the rest of my life. SO BE IT. I just want to be well! I have gained weight, I constantly want to eat while on this med.
Since it makes me drowsy and stupid, mostly I sleep all right at night while on the drug. The first night or two was rough, though. Have had some fierce headaches, too. If I can get well and stay well it is worth it for me.
Took 3xs/day for 14 days. Bloating, weight gain, fatigue xx, nausea, phlegm congestion yet no cold or sickness & strong headaches. Side effects are worse or the same after finished dose. Nausea is so bad I thought I had stomach bug but never threw up. constipation was never better - not worth it. A month after finishing still have side effects 30 days later.
Do not recommend this med - not worth all the extreme side effects.
I have just finished this medication a week ago and I’ve never felt worse in my life! I’ve had 4 migraines in the last week and have never had such shocking abdominal pain and bloating, I seriously look 10 months pregnant! My appetite still has not returned, I still have diarrhoea, now just with excruciating pain continuously!!!!!!I’m just so sorry I wasted so much of my money on this useless, horrible medicine!
Not sure if it’s related but also have excessive phlegm and cough all the time even though I don’t have a cold or flu! A another side effect maybe??
I am the same person that posted below. After completing my second week on Xifaxan, I was cautiously optimistic. Not any more. A little over a month later all of my symptoms are back (urgency, amount of times per day, abdominal pain, etc.) I am very disappointed. If you have to pay for this very expensive drug out of your own pocket, DON'T DO IT and continue to take Imodium. If you're insurance covers it, I guess it's worth a try.
I have had IBS-D since I was a child and for the first time since I can remember, my gut actually feels normal. The persistent, low grade pain I used to feel is gone and the urgency to go is greatly diminished. Dr. and I are going to try one more 14 day round and see how things go after that. I would recommend giving it a try.
XIFAXAN (RIFAXIMIN): This medication is used to treat diarrhea caused by the common bacteria known as E. coli ("traveler's diarrhea"). Rifaximin should not be used if you have a fever or bloody diarrhea. It works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections. It will not work for viral infections (such as common cold, flu). Using any antibiotic when it is not needed can cause it to not work for future infections. Rifaximin is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. It is also used to prevent a brain problem caused by liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy). It may help you think more clearly. (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)
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