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Introduction About RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET
RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET is used to manage hepatic encephalopathy. It contains Rifaximin which belongs to the group of medicines called Antibiotics. It is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used for gastrointestinal and liver diseases. It manages hepatic encephalopathy by managing the growth of toxin-producing bacteria in the digestive tract.
Before taking RIFAXIMED 550 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 this medicine. There is no proper information regarding the use of this medicine in children. It should be used with caution in the elderly patients.
The most common side effects 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 RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET
- Used to manage hepatic encephalopathy
How RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET Works
RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used for gastrointestinal and liver diseases. It manages hepatic encephalopathy by managing 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 manages the onset of disorders caused due to toxin accumulation (such as hepatic encephalopathy) and reduces their recurrence.
How to use RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET
- Take RIFAXIMED 550 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 the medicine without consulting your doctor even if you feel better during the midway of the therapy
Side Effects Of RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET
Common side effects of RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET:
- dizziness, tiredness
- nausea, dehydration
- swelling of the hands and legs
- fluid accumulation in the stomach
- constipation, stomach pain, flatulence, diarrhea
Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy
Consult your doctorThere is no proper information regarding the use of RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding
ContraindicatedRIFAXIMED 550 TABLET is generally not recommended for use in breastfeeding women due to lack of safety data.

Kidney
Use with CautionRIFAXIMED 550 TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney diseases.

Liver
Use with CautionRIFAXIMED 550 TABLET should be used with caution in patients with severe liver impairment.

Allergy
ContraindicatedDo not take RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET if you are allergic to rifaximin or any other ingredients of this medicine.

Use In Pediatrics
Consult your doctorThere is no proper information regarding the use of RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET in children and in adolescents (aged below 18 years).

Use In Geriatrics
Use with CautionRIFAXIMED 550 TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged 65 years or above).
Interactions
A. Drug-Drug interactions:
Before taking RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines such as:
- oral contraceptives (Ex. ethinyl estradiol)
- calcium-channel blockers (Ex. verapamil)
- benzodiazepines (Ex. midazolam)
Overdosage:
If you or anyone else accidentally took more RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital.
Synopsis
Drug | : | Rifaximin |
Pharmacological Category | : | Antibiotics |
Therapeutic Indication | : | Hepatic encephalopathy |
Dosage Forms | : | Tablet, Syrup, Suspension |
More Information
Storage
- Keep the medicine out of reach of children
- Store RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET at room temperature
FAQs About RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET
Q: Can I stop taking RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET suddenly?
A: No. Do not stop taking RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET even if you feel better during the midway of the therapy. Take the medicine for the stipulated duration instructed by your doctor.
Q: Can the use of RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET cause tiredness?
A: Yes. It 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.
Q: Can I take RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET during pregnancy?
A: There is no proper information regarding the use of RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET in pregnant women. Therefore, inform your doctor before taking the medicine if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant or planning to have a baby.
Q: Can RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET be used in children?
A: There is no proper information regarding the use of RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET in children and in adolescents (aged below 18 years).
Q: Is RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET a strong antibiotic?
A: Yes. RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET is a potent antibiotic with bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects. It can effectively work against the bacteria and manages their multiplication within our body.
Q: What is RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET used for?
A: RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to manage hepatic encephalopathy. It works against 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 RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET cause red urine?
A: Yes. RIFAXIMED 550 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 RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET?
A: Take the as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. It can be taken with or without food. Continue to take the medicine for the stipulated duration instructed by your doctor even if you feel better during the midway of the therapy.
Q: What RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET does to my body?
A: RIFAXIMED 550 TABLET is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used for gastrointestinal and liver diseases. It manages hepatic encephalopathy by managing 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 manages 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] click here
3. Ciplamed. Rixmin. [Revised in November 2013] [Accessed on 2nd June 2022] click here