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Xifaxan question

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Posted 4/9/2008 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
I have been dealing with a flare up for a while now, and the doctor prescribed Xifaxan (Rifaximin), Rowasa, and Lialda.  I feel fine about taking Rowasa and Lialda, but I am very leary about taking Xifaxan.  I read somewhere that there has not been a real link between stopping a flare up and taking antibiotics.  Am I wrong?  Should I take it? 

Thanks!

Posted 4/9/2008 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
did your doc do a breath test or think you have bacterial overgrowth? I took that back in '06 after a positive breath test. At the time I didn't have other UC symptoms, just IBS ones. Maybe give the doc a call and ask why he prescribed it?
Posted 4/9/2008 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Xifaxan is supposed to be a non-systemic antibiotic; there have been some online reports supporting its use by IBD patients. Maybe PLEASE will read your post & reply. She wrote recently in another thread that Xifaxan seems to be helping her daughter recover from a UC flare that started in the fall. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])

Posted 4/12/2008 8:29 PM (GMT 0)

I don't know if this information is helpful, but my GI thought I was steroid dependant and wanted to put me on Imuran (I couldn't make the drop from 20mg to 15mg without flaring big time).  Due to some family history and the potential side effects I resisted and asked if there was anything else we could try.  He indicated that adding Xifaxin was new and had worked for some people.  He was willing to let me try it to see if I could get off the pred without needing to go to another med.  I am happy to report that I am down to 5mg of pred and continuing to taper.   yeah   If I had to guess I'd say that he added the Xifaxin to help prevent or control the flares that were occurring when I tried to continue my taper.  I had no breath test or known bacterial overgrowth, just an inability to get off pred and an extreme desire to not add any additional meds.  So far it's working great.  As I taper the pred I still have some side effects but they go away after a couple of days.

Ducridr

Diagnosed w/ severe pancolitis 11/20/2007

Asacol - 6 (400mg) 2x/day, Tums EX - 2 - 3x/day, Xifaxin 2 (200mg) 2x/day, Prednisone 5mg (started at 40mg), multi-vitamin, calcium and vit d supplement, potassium supplement, Junel FE (BCP)

Posted 4/14/2008 8:13 AM (GMT 0)
If I was given a prescription for Xifaxin without even asking for it, I would do a happy dance.

Xifaxin has *outstanding* pre-clinical studies for UC. It is a *TRAVESTY* this drug is not further researched for UC.

There are at least 2 people on here that have used Xifaxin successfully. It will NOT cure your colitis, you will flare again. But it is apparently outstanding at getting a flare under control. And all you have to do is pop a little pill. Amazing. I just hope the folks behind it (it is a VERY expensive drug) put some of their profits to good use in getting formal approval for Xifaxin for UC.
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