Table of Contents

I. Exercise Precaution

II. Avoid Interactions

III. Watch Your Dosage

IV. Monitoring Side Effects

V. When to Seek Help

VI. Buying Discount Xifaxan Online

VII. FAQ: How Can I Make Sure Xifaxan Works Properly?

Xifaxan is a prescription antibiotic that contains the active ingredient rifaximin. It is used to treat traveler’s diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of E. coli in adults and children ages 12 and older. Xifaxan is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in adults and to reduce the risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy returning in adults. [1] Hepatic encephalopathy can affect how a person thinks, acts, or feels when the liver cannot properly remove toxins from the body. Because Xifaxan is an antibiotic, it should be taken exactly as prescribed. [2] Read on to learn more about how to take Xifaxan safely.

Exercise Precaution

Taking Xifaxan properly starts with knowing if this medication is right for you. Before beginning treatment, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to rifaximin, other rifamycin antibiotics, or any ingredient in Xifaxan. [1] You should also mention any other medication, food, or substance allergies and describe the reaction you experienced. 

Tell your doctor if you have or have had liver disease, are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Xifaxan should not be used for traveler’s diarrhea that occurs with a fever or blood in the stool, so contact your doctor if you have these symptoms. [2] Read the medication instructions carefully and take Xifaxan exactly as prescribed without changing the dose or schedule on your own.

Avoid Interactions

To take Xifaxan properly, the second step is to avoid any potential interactions. Drug and food interactions increase the risk of side effects and can affect how well Xifaxan works. Always inform your doctor about the medications you are taking before taking rifaximin. If your doctor determines that an interaction may occur, they may adjust your dosage or take other precautions. 

Medications that may interact with Xifaxan include:

• P-glycoprotein inhibitors, such as cyclosporine: These medications may substantially increase the amount of rifaximin that enters the bloodstream. Extra caution may be needed, especially in people with liver impairment. [1]
• Warfarin: Changes in INR have been reported when warfarin and rifaximin are taken together. Your doctor may monitor your INR and prothrombin time and adjust your warfarin dose if necessary. [1]
• Medications processed by CYP3A4: Xifaxan is not expected to have a significant effect on these medications in people with normal liver function. However, its effects are uncertain in people with reduced liver function and higher rifaximin levels. [1]
• Birth control: Rifaximin does not appear to affect how a single dose of oral birth control is processed by the body. However, its effect on birth control pills taken every day is still uncertain, so ask your doctor whether any additional precautions are needed. [3]

Watch Your Dosage

It is essential never to share Xifaxan with anyone else. Xifaxan is prescribed to treat your current condition. Sharing your medication is dangerous, and do not use it for another infection without your doctor’s approval.

If you miss a scheduled dose of Xifaxan, do not worry. Unless it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if this is the case and take your next dose at the regular time. Double dosing can be dangerous and does not make your treatment more effective, so avoid taking more than your prescribed dosage. [2]

Monitoring Side Effects

Side effects of Xifaxan may include nausea, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, tiredness, joint pain, or muscle tightening. Tell your doctor if these effects are severe or do not go away. Contact your doctor right away if you develop watery or bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, or a fever during treatment or within two months after taking Xifaxan. [2]

Xifaxan should only be used when needed. Using antibiotics when they are not needed can increase the risk of developing bacteria that resist antibiotic treatment. [2] Like other antibiotics, Xifaxan can also cause Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, which may range from mild diarrhea to severe inflammation of the colon. [1]

Get medical help right away if you experience signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, rash, itching, trouble breathing or swallowing, hoarseness, or swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs. [2] Speak with your healthcare provider for more information about possible Xifaxan side effects. 

When to Seek Help

Take Xifaxan exactly as prescribed. Do not take more or less than directed, take it more often, or continue it longer than your doctor recommends. Skipping doses or stopping treatment too early may prevent the bacteria from being fully treated and may increase the risk of antibiotic resistance. Even if you start feeling better, continue taking it for the full prescribed treatment period. [2]

The length of treatment depends on the condition being treated. For IBS-D, Xifaxan is usually taken for 14 days. If your symptoms return after treatment, contact your doctor. Patients with recurring IBS-D symptoms may be treated again up to two times with the same dosage schedule. [1]

Buying Discount Xifaxan Online

Once you are prescribed Xifaxan (rifaximin), visit Canadian Med Center to fill your prescription. By ordering your medications online, you can save the time it normally takes to visit a physical pharmacy. Canadian Med Center is an online Canadian pharmacy that sources its medication from reputable pharmacies worldwide, so you will always get the best price on the market. Order brand-name Xifaxan or generic rifaximin today.

FAQ: How Can I Make Sure Xifaxan Works Properly?

To help Xifaxan work properly, take it exactly as prescribed and complete the full treatment period, even if your symptoms improve before you finish the medication. Xifaxan is an antibiotic, so skipping doses, stopping early, or sharing it with someone else can make treatment less effective and may contribute to antibiotic resistance. It should also only be used for the condition your doctor prescribed it to treat.

Before and during treatment, keep your doctor informed about allergies, pregnancy, and any medications or supplements you take. Some medications, including cyclosporine, warfarin, and certain CYP3A4 substrates, may need extra caution or monitoring while taking Xifaxan. You should also know when to call your doctor, especially if symptoms do not improve or if new warning signs appear.

To stay on track with Xifaxan:

1. Take each dose on the schedule your doctor prescribed.
2. Do not take more or less than directed.
3. If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless it is almost time for your next dose.
4. Do not double up on doses to make up for a missed one.
5. Tell your doctor about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use.
6. Contact your doctor right away if you develop watery or bloody diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, rash, swelling, or trouble breathing.

The content in this article is intended for informational purposes only. This website does not provide medical advice. In all circumstances, you should always seek the advice of your physician and/or other qualified health professionals(s) for drug, medical condition, or treatment advice. The content provided on this website is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.