INTRODUCTION

DIRIFA 400MG TABLET contains Rifaximin which belongs to the group of medicines called Antibiotics. It is used to treat hepatic encephalopathy. Hepatic encephalopathy is a brain disorder caused due to chronic severe liver diseases (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis). It happens when the damaged liver cannot remove toxins from the blood properly. As a result, the toxins get accumulated in the blood, travels to the brain and causes brain damage.

Symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy includes confusion, forgetfulness, muscle problems, sweet or musty odour breath, shaking and difficulty in speaking.

Rifaximin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used for gastrointestinal and liver diseases. It treats hepatic encephalopathy by preventing the growth of toxin-producing bacteria in the digestive tract. This reduces toxin accumulation in the blood and eventually protects the body from the harmful effects of the accumulated toxins. As a result, it prevents the onset of disorders caused due to toxin accumulation (such as hepatic encephalopathy) and reduces their recurrence.

Before taking DIRIFA 400MG TABLET inform your doctor if you have any liver or kidney problems. You must also inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking DIRIFA 400MG TABLET.

There is no proper information regarding the use of DIRIFA 400MG TABLET in children. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking. It should be used with caution in the elderly patients.

The most common side effects of taking DIRIFA 400MG TABLET are dizziness, nausea, peripheral edema, fluid accumulation in the stomach, fatigue, constipation, and stomach pain. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect worsens.

USES OF DIRIFA 400MG TABLET

• Treats hepatic encephalopathy

HOW DIRIFA 400MG TABLET WORKS

DIRIFA 400MG TABLET is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used for gastrointestinal and liver diseases. It treats hepatic encephalopathy by preventing the growth of ammonia (toxin)-producing bacteria in the digestive tract. This reduces toxin accumulation in the blood and eventually protects your body from the harmful effects of the accumulated toxins. As a result, it prevents the onset of disorders caused due to toxin accumulation (such as hepatic encephalopathy) and reduces their recurrence.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take DIRIFA 400MG TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine.

Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and severity of infection. Do not stop taking DIRIFA 400MG TABLET without consulting your doctor even if you feel better during the midway of the therapy.

SIDE EFFECTS OF DIRIFA 400MG TABLET

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Constipation

Eat more fibre rich foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and cereals. Drink plenty of water. Exercise more regularly. Consult your doctor if this side effect bothers you.

Diarrhea

Hydrate yourself by drinking plenty of fluids, such as water or fruit juices. Consuming ORS can also be beneficial. Do not self-treat diarrhea on your own. Consult your doctor if your diarrhea becomes uncontrollable or if you see blood in your stools.

 

Dizziness Or Drowsiness

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any heavy tools or machines completely while you are feeling dizzy. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.

Nausea And Vomiting

Take DIRIFA 400MG TABLET along with, or just after meals. Avoid eating oil rich or spicy foods. Stick on to simple healthy foods. Consult your doctor if your nausea worsens.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY

Consult your doctor

There is no proper information regarding the use of DIRIFA 400MG TABLET in pregnant women. Therefore, inform your doctor before taking DIRIFA 400MG TABLET if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.

BREASTFEEDING

Contraindicated

DIRIFA 400MG TABLET is generally not recommended for use in breastfeeding women due to lack of safety data. However, consult your doctor before taking it.

KIDNEY

Use with Caution

DIRIFA 400MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

LIVER

Use with Caution

DIRIFA 400MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with severe liver impairment. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

ALLERGY

Contraindicated

Do not take DIRIFA 400MG TABLET if you are allergic to rifaximin.

USE IN PEDIATRICS

Consult your doctor

There is no proper information regarding the use of DIRIFA 400MG TABLET in children and in adolescents (aged below 18 years). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

USE IN GERIATRICS

Use with Caution

DIRIFA 400MG TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years or above). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

INTERACTIONS

A, Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking DIRIFA 400MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:

• oral contraceptives (birth control pills) such as ethinyl estradiol
• verapamil (a medicine used to treat heart problems)
• midazolam (a medicine used to reduce anxiety and to induce sleep)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally took more DIRIFA 400MG TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep DIRIFA 400MG TABLET out of reach of children
• Store DIRIFA 400MG TABLET at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT DIRIFA 400MG TABLET

Q: Can I stop taking DIRIFA 400MG TABLET suddenly?

A: No. Do not stop taking DIRIFA 400MG TABLET even if you feel better during the midway of the therapy. Take DIRIFA 400MG TABLET for the stipulated duration instructed by your doctor. Also, inform your doctor if you cannot see any improvement in your condition even after using DIRIFA 400MG TABLET for the stipulated duration. If you have any further questions regarding the use of DIRIFA 400MG TABLET, consult your doctor.

Q: Can the use of DIRIFA 400MG TABLET cause tiredness?

A: Yes. DIRIFA 400MG TABLET may make you feel tired. This may happen due to fluid loss from the body. If you feel tired, rest, and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any heavy tools or machines. Consult your doctor if your tiredness worsens.

Q: Can I take DIRIFA 400MG TABLET during pregnancy?

A: There is no proper information regarding the use of DIRIFA 400MG TABLET in pregnant women. Therefore, inform your doctor before taking DIRIFA 400MG TABLET if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant or planning to have a baby.

Q: Can DIRIFA 400MG TABLET be used in children?

A: There is no proper information regarding the use of DIRIFA 400MG TABLET in children and in adolescents (aged below 18 years). Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

Q: Is DIRIFA 400MG TABLET a strong antibiotic?

A: Yes. DIRIFA 400MG TABLET is a potent antibiotic with bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects. It can effectively kill the bacteria and prevents their multiplication within our body.

Q: What is DIRIFA 400MG TABLET used for?

A: DIRIFA 400MG TABLET is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat hepatic encephalopathy. It kills the toxin producing bacteria within the body which eventually protects our body from the harmful effects of the accumulated toxins.

Q: Can the use of DIRIFA 400MG TABLET cause red urine?

A: Yes. DIRIFA 400MG TABLET may cause pink or reddish discoloration of urine. This is usually harmless and disappears after stopping the therapy. However, consult your doctor if it bothers you.

Q: How to take DIRIFA 400MG TABLET?

A: Take DIRIFA 400MG TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. DIRIFA 400MG TABLET can be taken with or without food. Continue to take DIRIFA 400MG TABLET for the stipulated duration instructed by your doctor even if you feel better during the midway of the therapy.

Q: What DIRIFA 400MG TABLET does to my body?

A: DIRIFA 400MG TABLET is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used for gastrointestinal and liver diseases. It treats hepatic encephalopathy by preventing the growth of toxin-producing bacteria in the digestive tract. This reduces toxin accumulation in the blood and eventually protects the body from the harmful effects of the accumulated toxins. As a result, it prevents the onset of disorders caused due to toxin accumulation (such as hepatic encephalopathy) and reduces their recurrence.

REFERENCES

1. KD. Tripathi. Drugs for constipation and diarrhoea. Essentials of Pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page – 681.

2. Maddalena Diana Iadevaia, Anna Del Prete, Claudia Cesaro, Laura Gaeta, Claudio Zulli, and Carmelina Loguercio. Rifaximin in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. NIH: National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC, PubMed central. December 2011. [Accessed on 2nd June 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3846583/#:~:text=Rifaximin%2C%20as%20well%20as%20lactulose,or%20placebo%20for%206%20months.

3. Ciplamed. Rixmin. [Revised in November 2013] [Accessed on 2nd June 2022] https://www.ciplamed.com/content/rixmin-400-tablets

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Ammonia
• Liver Function Test
• Potassium
• Sodium