| Abstract: |
This article reviews data that have been presented at medical meetings or published in medical journals since the publication of a 2006 review of rifaximin in this journal. Rifaximin is an antibiotic that was initially developed to treat bacteria-related diarrhea, but its uses have increased as the understanding of the role of enteric bacteria has advanced. The author presents data that suggest rifaximin may be useful in several enteric conditions, including Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, cryptosporidial diarrhea, Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), pouchitis, traveler’s diarrhea, diverticular disease, hepatic encephalopathy, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, and irritable bowel syndrome. For each condition, the author reviews the related research, focusing on administration and dosage, as well as patient selection. The author concludes that rifaximin may be beneficial as monotherapy or in combination with other agents for the treatment of multiple enteric conditions. 2 figures. 5 tables. 72 references. |