RIFALYS

RIFALYS 550mg

 

What is this medicine?

RIFALYS 550mg TABLETS contain Rifaximin, which is an antibiotic. It is primarily used to:

• Treat hepatic encephalopathy (a condition where severe liver disease leads to changes in brain function due to toxin buildup). It works by reducing ammonia-producing bacteria in the gut.
• Treat infectious diarrhea caused by certain bacteria (e.g., traveler’s diarrhea). It stops the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestines.
• Manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D).
• Manage Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine? They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• An unusual or allergic reaction to rifaximin, other rifamycins (like rifabutin, rifapentine, or rifampicin), or any other ingredients in this medicine.
• Severe diarrhea, especially if it’s bloody or accompanied by fever.
• Liver disease (especially severe liver impairment).
• Kidney disease.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
• If you are breast-feeding.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water, with or without food, as directed by your doctor.

Take your doses at regular intervals.

Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet.

Do not stop taking this medicine except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional, even if you feel better, as stopping too soon may not completely cure the infection or prevent recurrence of symptoms.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. While no specific overdose cases have been reported, symptomatic treatment and supportive care would be suggested.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can.

If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose.

Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medicine?

Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

This medicine may interact with:

• Other antibiotics.
• Medicines that affect certain liver enzymes (e.g., cyclosporine, midazolam, verapamil).
• Warfarin (a blood thinner).
• Oral contraceptives (birth control pills).
• Activated charcoal (take RIFALYS at least 2 hours after activated charcoal).
• Cholera vaccine, live.
• Certain anti-fungal medications.

This list may not describe all possible interactions.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

• Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress.
• Your urine may become reddish in color; this is normal and harmless.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe diarrhea (especially watery or bloody diarrhea) during or after treatment, as this could indicate a serious intestinal infection (like Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea).
• If your symptoms do not improve or worsen after a few days of treatment, contact your doctor.
• You may experience dizziness. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you.
• Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, as studies in animals have shown harmful effects on the developing baby, and it’s unknown if the drug passes into breast milk.

What side effects may I notice from this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions like skin rash, hives, itching, swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, or ankles, or difficulty breathing/swallowing.
• Severe diarrhea (watery or bloody), which may occur with stomach cramps and fever.
• Swelling of legs or feet (peripheral edema).
• Fever.
• Rapid breathing.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• Nausea
• Stomach pain or abdominal discomfort
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Gas/bloating
• Depression

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature in a cool and dry place.

Protect from moisture and direct sunlight.

Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.