You should not use take Xifaxan if you are allergic to rifaximin or medications such as rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifater, Rifadin, Rifamate), or rifapentine (Priftin).
Before you take Xifaxan, tell your doctor if you have severe liver disease, diarrhea with fever, or diarrhea that is watery or has blood in it.
Take Xifaxan for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Rifaximin will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu, or any form of diarrhea that is caused by a virus. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 24 hours, or if they get worse while taking this medicine. Xifaxan does not treat all bacterial forms of traveler's diarrhea.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take Xifaxan if you are allergic to rifaximin, rifabutin, rifampin, or rifapentine.
To make sure Xifaxan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
liver disease;
diarrhea with a fever; or
watery or bloody diarrhea.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Xifaxan should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old.
How should I take Xifaxan?
Take Xifaxan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
For travelers' diarrhea, Xifaxan is usually taken for only 3 days. For IBS, it 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. Xifaxan 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 this medicine.
Xifaxan does not treat all bacterial forms of travelers' diarrhea.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
