title: Management of diverticular disease: is there room for rifaximin?
abstract: Treatment of symptomatic diverticular disease of the colon is aimed at the relief of symptoms and the prevention of major complications. The efficacy of fiber supplementation and of anticholinergic and spasmolytic agents remains controversial. Antibiotics are commonly used in the treatment of inflammatory complications of diverticular disease. Data from open labelled and randomized controlled trials do suggest the efficacy of rifaximin in obtaining symptomatic relief in patients with diverticular disease. Approximately 30% therapeutic gain compared to fiber supplementation only can be expected after one year of intermittent treatment with rifaximin. Considering the safety and tolerability of rifaximin, this drug can be recommended for patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Internal Medicine, S. Filippo Neri Hospital, Rome, Italy. c.papi@tin.it
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Papi
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Capurso
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004238:Diverticulitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004241:Diverticulum, Colon / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008351:Mannans / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012294:Rifamycins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000078262:Rifaximin
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D008351:Mannans; D012294:Rifamycins; C022901:(1-6)-alpha-glucomannan; D000078262:Rifaximin