What is Travelers' Diarrhea (TD)?
Travelers' Diarrhea (TD) is the most common illness affecting travelers which affects between 20% to 50% of international travelers. The onset of TD usually occurs within the first week of travel but may occur at any time while traveling, and even after returning home. The onset of TD depends in part on the specific infectious agent. TD is defined as three or more unformed stools in 24 hours passed by a traveler, commonly accompanied by abdominal cramps, nausea, and bloating. Its diagnosis does not imply a specific organism, but enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli is the most commonly isolated pathogen. The primary source of infection is ingestion of fecally contaminated food or water.
The most important risk factor is the traveler's destination. Persons at particular high-risk include young adults, immunosuppressed persons, persons with inflammatory-bowel disease or diabetes, and persons taking H-2 blockers or antacids.Since most cases of TD are self-limited, treatment is not routinely prescribed nor the pathogen identified unless symptoms become severe or persistent.
The medicine Rifaximin has been shown to be effective for the prevention of diarrhea in travelers to Mexico. This semisynthetic rifamycin derivative, has been approved in the United States as well as several European countries for the treatment of uncomplicated traveler's diarrhea. When administered orally, rifaximin remains active in the gastrointestinal tract and less than 0.4% is systemically absorbed. In vitro antibacterial activity has been shown against most of the gram-negative enteric pathogens, in addition to gram-positive rods and anaerobic bacteria. In the prophylaxis study, adult travelers to Guadalajara, Mexico, who took rifaximin daily for 2 weeks reported 72% and 77% protection against traveler's diarrhea and antibiotic-treated traveler's diarrhea, respectively, with minimal side effects. The incidence of Travelers' Diarrhea (TD) can also be reduced by following a specific diet to combat TD.
What is Hepatic Encephalopathy?
Hepatic Encephalopathy (also known as portosystemic encephalopathy) is the occurrence of confusion, altered level of consciousness, and coma as a result of liver failure. It is caused by accumulation in the bloodstream of toxic substances that are normally removed by the liver. The diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy requires the presence of impaired liver function and the exclusion of an alternative explanation for the symptoms. Blood tests (ammonia levels) may assist in the diagnosis. Attacks are often precipitated by an intercurrent problem, such as infection or constipation.
Hepatic encephalopathy is reversible with treatment. This relies on suppressing the production of the toxic substances in the intestine and is most commonly done with the laxative lactulose or with non-absorbable antibiotics.
Lactulose, a nonabsorbable disaccharide, is considered first-line therapy for pharmacological therapy of acute HE. Antibiotics have been administered in the treatment of HE, usually employed as second-line therapy. Rifaximin is a poorly absorbed, oral antibiotic which is derived from rifamycin and has a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative, aerobic and anaerobic, enteric bacteria. It is thought to diminish deaminating enteric bacteria to decrease production of nitrogenous compounds that are subsequently absorbed and cause HE.
Rifagut Tablets (Rifaximin) – Product Information
Rifagut Tablets (Rifaximin) manufactured by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. is an antibacterial used for the treatment of travelers' diarrhea (TD) caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli in patients 12 years of age and older. It is also used for reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in patients 18 years of age and older.
Rifagut Tablets (Rifaximin) - Active Ingredient
The active ingredient present in Rifagut Tablets is Rifaximin.
Rifagut Tablets - Contraindications
Rifagut Tablets is contraindicated in patients that have a hypersensitivity to Rifaximin or any inactive ingredient present in Rifagut Tablets .
Rifagut Tablets (Rifaximin) - Storage Instructions
Keep Rifagut Tablets in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Protect the medication from light. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.
Rifagut Tablets (Rifaximin) - Dosage
The recommended dosage of Rifagut Tablets (Rifaximin) is as follows:
Travelers’ Diarrhea
The recommended dose of Rifagut tablets is one 200 mg tablet taken orally three times a day for 3 days. Generic Rifaximin can be administered orally, with or without food.
Hepatic Encephalopathy
The recommended dose of Generic Rifaximin (Rifagut tablets) is one 550 mg tablet taken orally two times a day, with or without food.
Rifagut Tablets (Rifaximin) - Side effects
The possible side effects of Rifagut Tablets (Rifaximin) are given below:
Most common side effects of Rifagut Tablets (Rifaximin) in the treatment of Travelers’ Diarrhea with an incidence rate of 5% or more Flatulence, headache, abdominal pain, rectal tenesmus, defecation urgency and nausea.
Most common side effects of Rifagut Tablets (Rifaximin)in the treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy with an incidence rate of 10% or more are Peripheral edema, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, ascites, flatulence, and headache.
Rifagut Tablets (Rifaximin) - More Details
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