A non-absorbable rifamycin for treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.
Ammonia (NH3) plays a role in hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Agents affecting colonic ammonia production, such as non-absorbable antibiotics, decrease plasma levels of NH3 and findings of HE. The short-term efficacy of a non-absorbable rifamycin, rifaximin, was studied in comparison with paramomycin in 20 cirrhotic patients with high levels of NH3 and impaired number connection test (NCT). Both antibiotics significantly decreased ammonia-producing colonic bacteria. Rifaximin proved to be active on both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and is thus effective, even at the dosage used, in the treatment of HE.
D000042:Absorption; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000641:Ammonia / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010303:Paromomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012294:Rifamycins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000078262:Rifaximin
D012294:Rifamycins; D010303:Paromomycin; D000641:Ammonia; D000078262:Rifaximin