Review of rifaximin as treatment for SIBO and IBS.
BACKGROUND
Rifaximin is a broad-range, gastrointestinal-specific antibiotic that demonstrates no clinically relevant bacterial resistance. Therefore, rifaximin may be useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders associated with altered bacterial flora, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).


OBJECTIVE
To review rifaximin for treatment of IBS and SIBO.


METHODS
Review of rifaximin clinical trials.


CONCLUSIONS
Rifaximin improved global symptoms in 33 - 92% of patients and eradicated SIBO in up to 84% of patients with IBS, with results sustained up to 10 weeks post-treatment. Rifaximin caused a lower number of adverse events compared with metronidazole or levofloxacin and may have a more favorable adverse event profile than systemic antibiotics, without clinically relevant antibiotic resistance.
Pimentel
Mark
M
GI Motility Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 8730 Alden Dr, Suite 225E, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA. Mark.Pimentel@cshs.org
D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology*; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D012294:Rifamycins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000078262:Rifaximin
D012294:Rifamycins; D000078262:Rifaximin