Rifaximin 550 – Advanced Gastrointestinal Antibiotic

Product Overview

Rifaximin 550 is a highly effective, non-absorbable oral antibiotic from the rifamycin family, designed for targeted action in the gastrointestinal tract. As a broad-spectrum antimicrobial, Rifaximin 550 is specially formulated to address key gastrointestinal disorders with minimal systemic side effects due to its very low absorption into the bloodstream.

This medication is most widely prescribed for adults to reduce the recurrence of episodes of overt hepatic encephalopathy—a serious complication of advanced liver disease. Additionally, Rifaximin 550 plays a pivotal role in managing irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), and traveler’s diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of E. coli in patients 12 years and older.

Vonage Pharma offers Rifaximin 550 mg tablets under stringent quality standards, ensuring optimal efficacy, safety, and patient tolerability.

Key Indications and Uses

• Hepatic Encephalopathy Recurrence Reduction: Rifaximin 550 is recommended for preventing the recurrence of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in adults with liver disease. In clinical studies, Rifaximin 550 mg twice daily significantly reduced the risk of HE recurrence by up to 58% and halved the rate of HE-related hospitalizations compared to placebo.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D): For adults suffering from IBS-D, Rifaximin 550 is prescribed three times daily for 14 days. Clinical trials show it can offer symptom improvement with high safety and tolerability.
• Traveler’s Diarrhea: Effective for treating traveler’s diarrhea due to coli in adults and children over 12 years. The typical regimen is 200 mg three times daily for 3 days, with the 550 mg strength reserved for more severe or recurrent episodes.

Mechanism of Action

Rifaximin 550 exerts its antibacterial action by irreversibly inhibiting bacterial RNA synthesis, leading to bacterial cell death. Its minimal gastrointestinal absorption makes it ideal for treating intestinal infections while avoiding systemic antibiotic side effects.

Dosage and Administration

• Hepatic Encephalopathy: 550 mg orally twice daily on a long-term basis.
• IBS-D: 550 mg orally three times daily for 14 days. Healthcare providers may give repeat courses as needed for symptom recurrence.
• Traveler’s Diarrhea: Physicians typically prescribe standard lower doses, but they may consider 550 mg in certain cases.

You can take Rifaximin 550 with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with water.

Safety Information & Side Effects

Rifaximin 550 boasts a favorable safety profile:

• Very low rates of systemic adverse reactions due to poor absorption.
• Common mild side effects: peripheral edema, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, abdominal discomfort.
• Less common: headache, rash, pruritus, elevated liver enzymes.
• Serious allergic reactions are exceedingly rare.
• In hepatic encephalopathy trials, long-term use for up to 24 months-maintained efficacy and showed no major safety concerns.
• Contraindications: hypersensitivity to rifaximin or related antibiotics, and caution in severe cases of diarrhea with blood/fever.

Drug Interactions

• Rifaximin is a substrate of P-glycoprotein and may interact with inhibitors of this transporter.
• It has no significant adverse interactions with most other drugs, and food does not interfere with its efficacy.

Use in Special Populations

• Pediatrics: Suitable for patients over 12 years.
• Pregnancy and lactation: Use only if benefits outweigh potential risks, as animal studies show possible fetal risk without sufficient human data.
• Elderly: No adjustment typically needed.

Packaging

• Available in 550 mg film-coated tablets.
• Each box contains 30 tablets, sufficient for a 2-week IBS-D course or a 15-day prophylactic course for hepatic encephalopathy.

Why Choose Vonage Pharma’s Rifaximin 550?

Vonage Pharma manufactures every batch of Rifaximin 550 under strict GMP conditions, therefore ensuring purity and potency for reliable patient outcomes. Moreover, healthcare providers can trust Vonage Pharma for consistent availability, competitive pricing, and expert clinical support.