Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take  rifaximin if you are allergic to rifaximin, rifabutin, rifampin, or rifapentine.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver disease;
diarrhea with a fever; or
watery or bloody diarrhea.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Rifaximin should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old.
How should I take rifaximin?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
You may take rifaximin with or without food.
For travelers' diarrhea, rifaximin is usually taken for only 3 days. For IBS, rifaximin is usually taken for 2 weeks at a time. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.
Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Skipping doses can increase your risk of infection that is resistant to medication. Rifaximin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a common cold.
Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 24 to 48 hours, or if they get worse while using rifaximin.
Rifaximin does not treat all bacterial forms of travelers' diarrhea.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
