RIFACOL ® Rifaximin

REFACOL ® is a rifaximin drug

THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Antibiotic - Intestinal antimicrobial

IndicationsAction mechanismStudies and clinical effectiveness Usage and dosage instructionsWarnings Pregnancy and lactationInteractionsContraindicationsUndesirable effects

Indications RIFACOL ® Rifaximin

RIFACOL ® is an antibiotic used in the treatment of bacterial infections of the intestinal tract supported by Gram + and Gram - bacteria, responsible for acute diarrheas such as those of summer or the traveler.

The antibiotic action is also effective in preventing pre and post-operative infectious diseases and in rebalancing the intestinal flora during irritable bowel syndrome and similar conditions.

Rifaximin is also used as an adjunct in the treatment of hyperammonemia.

Mechanism of action RIFACOL ® Rifaximin

RIFACOL ® is a rifaximin-based drug, an antibiotic derived from rifamycin, with which it shares the same mechanism of action despite its different pharmacokinetic properties.

More precisely the bactericidal action induced by this antibiotic is expressed through the inhibition of bacterial RNA polymerase, an enzyme involved in DNA transcription, therefore in its survival and replication, while the pharmacokinetic characteristics make it particularly suitable for the treatment of intestinal affections.

In fact, being absorbed only minimally by the gastrointestinal tract, an estimated quantity of around 1% of the total dose taken and excreted via the kidney, reaches the intestinal lumen at such concentrations, to perform an impressive antibacterial action.

Studies carried out and clinical efficacy

1. RIFAXIMINA AND IRRITABLE COLONY SYNDROME

The abnormal growth of intestinal bacterial flora is often associated with the presence of irritable bowel syndrome. In these patients, treatment with rifaximin for two weeks was shown to significantly reduce swelling and abdominal pain, significantly improving stool consistency.

2. RIFAXIMINA AND HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY

Hepatic encephalopathy, is a complex pathology characterized among other things by the presence of hyperammonemia, which significantly disturbs the normal brain function. In view of the prevention and therapy of this pathological condition, the reduction of the production of ammonium metabolites by the intestine represents a possible approach. More precisely, the action of rifaximin in inhibiting intestinal bacterial growth could be important in reducing the production of these metabolites which contribute to the worsening of clinical symptoms.

3. RIFAXIMINA AND DIARREA DEL VIAGGIATORE

Traveler's diarrhea is a form of acute diarrhea, associated in most cases with serious bacterial infections. In this study, prophylaxis with 600 mg rifaximin per day for 14 days proved to be effective in reducing the risk of onset of diarrhea by 48% without any particularly significant side effects.

Method of use and dosage

REFACOL ® 200 mg coated tablets of rafaximin or granules for oral suspension 2gr of rifaximin every 100 ml:

in the treatment of acute diarrhea sustained by microorganisms, the most used dosage is that of a 200 mg rifaximin tablet every 6 hours, in the pre- and post-operative treatment it is usually preferred to take 2 200 mg tablets every 12 hours while in hyperammonemia there is also the administration of 400 mg of antibiotic every 8 hours.

The aforementioned dosages may be subject to significant changes, especially in the pediatric age, decided by the doctor after a careful physio-pathological evaluation of the patient.

In any case the therapy should last for at least 7 days.

RIFACOL ® Rifaximin warnings

Administration of RIFACOL ® in patients with intestinal lesions could be associated with the appearance of reddish urine due to the presence of rifaximin metabolites. In these conditions, in fact, systemic absorption could significantly increase and inevitably be accompanied by an increased renal excretion of the active ingredient.

Prolonged use of rifaximin, especially when not supported by an adequate therapeutic indication, could lead to the appearance of resistant bacterial strains, for which it would be necessary to replace the RIFACOL ® therapy with a more adequate one.

The presence of sucrose in the granulated formulation for oral suspension, could determine the appearance of side effects in patients suffering from fructose intolerance and from glucose / galactose malabsorption.

Rifaximin therapy has often been associated with dizziness and vertigo, so it would be important to ascertain one's perceptive status before driving cars or using dangerous machinery.

PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING

The studies present in the literature do not allow for the time to establish with precision the safety profile of RIFACOL ® when taken during pregnancy, for the health of the unborn child.

Consequently, taking rifaximin during pregnancy and during the period of breastfeeding should be guaranteed only in case of real need and under strict medical supervision.

Interactions

Given the low systemic absorption profile of rifaximin, interactions with other active ingredients are decidedly rare and not significant.

Contraindications RIFACOL ® Rifaximin

RIFACOL ® is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the active substance or similar compounds, or in patients with intestinal obstructions and lesions.

Undesirable effects - Side effects

Rifaximin therapy was found to be very well tolerated and free of clinically significant side effects.

Among the most common adverse reactions, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and orthotic-type skin reactions have been documented.