Rifaximin for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea User Reviews (Page 2)

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2016

"It started to work during the two weeks I was on it. I was still going to the bathroom, but it wasn't that awful urgent, you better go now or have an accident. Those two weeks were much better. However, once it was over, I have been worse than I was even before the medicine. Now I have severe stomach pain, foul-smelling gas and stool, I'm very bloated, and when I get the feeling I need the bathroom, I need to find one fast because it WILL come out no matter if I'm in the bathroom or not. I really had very high hopes that this would be just what I needed to help. I've had IBS-D all my life, but it was diagnosed years ago when I was 16."

• bik...
• June 2, 2015

"Tested positive for SIBO. I had asked my GI doc for that test. Was happy to have an answer after years of suffering. I am also hypoglycemic, so the actual test for SIBO had my blood sugar super low... probably 2 days to recover from that! The first 2 days on the drug, I have felt dizzy and tired, and my arms super tingly (?). But the BMs improved immediately, so I didn't want to stop the Xifaxan. Now at 4 days, I'm not sure. Sometimes I start feeling amazing. I am also following a diet for candida and paying close attention to food combining. Just today, I started feeling the abdominal cramping come back! Really not sure what to do here...."

• Dor...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 12, 2016

"I have had IBS-D for the past 8 years and am able to manage it with a regular regimen of Xifaxan for the past several years. Every 6 weeks, I go on a 10-day regimen of Xifaxan, and yes, it does get worse when I'm not on it. But I can control the diarrhea and somewhat the bloating. The bloating gets worse with my diet. So watching gas-producing foods is a must."

• Har...
• February 8, 2016

"I do not recommend this drug at all! I have had IBS for 6 years. This drug made my diarrhea worse! I had great hopes that this drug was going to give me some relief, not so. I do believe that an antibiotic will one day cure this problem. I was given a common antibiotic for a sinus infection on two different occasions, which not only cured my sinuses but also stopped the diarrhea for months. This drug is not the cure, not to mention the fact that this drug costs nearly $2000.00. Please do not assume that I am complaining due to cost, this drug cost me 25.00, my insurance company was the one who paid. I would suggest to this drug company, go back to the drawing board!"

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2020

"I’ve had IBS-D for as long as I can remember. Finally cracked and went to a doctor. After 2 months of blood work, CT scans, and a colonoscopy, they didn’t find anything wrong. I was depressed hearing, 'we don’t know what’s wrong.' The doctor calls me one day and says he wants me to try a drug - I’d do anything at this point for relief. In comes Xifaxan. I had really bad nausea the first day for about an hour, then nothing after that. After day three, I didn’t have any pain, bloating, or mad dashes to a restroom to unload. I was having normal one-a-day bowel movements with 'ghost' wipes. It lasted about a month and a half, and the symptoms are starting to reappear. I have a prescription for 3 treatments, so I’m going to go at it again and see what happens."

• Lul...
• August 25, 2018

"I took this drug for my IBS-C. While I was on it, it did help with my pains but not my bloating after I ate. It actually made me more constipated than before. Just a week after my last pill, I can't eat anything without having pain and a swollen stomach, including gluten-free. Just a way for the doctors to get a kickback or a percentage! Sad world that we are living in."

• Kmi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2018

"Do not take this drug! It made my symptoms of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) ten times worse. Before taking the drug, I had very mild symptoms, just some light feelings of hunger after eating. Now, six days after finishing a two-week course, I’m doubled over in pain, severely constipated, severely depressed, unable to sleep, and in a constant state of emergency. I’m worried that now I have IBS. Please do not take this drug."

• TS7...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2023

"After years and years of dealing with IBS, my purse stocked with every kind of OTC stomach medicine to sort of control symptoms, my family doctor asked me if I wanted to try this. What a relief it was! I took 3 pills each day for 14 days, had very few side effects, mainly dry mouth. But I finished my round about a week and a half ago, and still symptom free! Not constantly worrying about what I eat, will it make me sick, where's the bathroom and is someone else in there? It has been such a relief to me. I hope the results last a long time. But the doctor has assured me that I can repeat it 2 more times in a year. So that brings hope to me, after all of my life worrying how to help my stomach problems. I will definitely repeat it if I need to. The outcome is definitely worth it!"

• SMi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 19, 2016

"Sadly, this medication gave no relief at all and actually made things worse... Severe nausea and vomiting on top of constant diarrhea, not an easy thing to multitask if you know what I mean. But hey, all meds work differently for different people. Hope others had better luck than I did."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 16, 2019

"I had IBS and explosive bowel movements at any time. Spent $422.00 for this medicine in the hopes it would solve my problems. It did not. Took the recommended dosage till the prescription was complete."

• IBS...
• July 15, 2017

"Thanks to my doctor for prescribing Xifaxan. I've only been on it for about a week, and my life has changed dramatically. It's so good not to have to head to the bathroom three or more times a day with diarrhea. The only side effect is some constipation, but you go when you want, and usually only once. No more what-if scenarios. I also have a better appetite and am gaining some weight back. Thanks, Doc and Xifaxan."

• JWn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2022

"This medication severely impacted my physical and mental health. I was prescribed for SIBO (though I did not have diarrhea - only persistent, very mild bloating and increased flatulence at the time). Almost immediately after finishing the ten-day course, my GI issues erupted like a volcano. About two weeks after, I had already lost ten pounds, was experiencing pins and needle sensations in my skin, developed what I now recognize as clinical depression (brain fog, inability to concentrate, no appetite, etc.), and about three weeks after, my hair started falling out. Soon after, I started having panic attacks out of nowhere, with no preexisting mental health issues in myself or my immediate family, and SEVERE constipation that sent me to the ER. For a year after, I was lucky to have one bowel movement a week. Read EVERY adverse event/side effect report on this medication. My life has two chapters: before Xifaxan, and after."

• KKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2018

"I was prescribed this drug for SIBO! I was bloating and have gas issues to the extreme prior to Xifaxan. The gas is gone, but I now look 10 months pregnant (overdue). I seriously feel I am at week 42 in pregnancy with a 10 lb baby. Severe bloating and extreme water retention when on Xifaxan! Feel awful, although the gas has definitely decreased."

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2020

"I had to stop this Xifaxan after 9 days because it was making my IBS-D even worse. Two days later, and I'm still terrible. This drug is not worth the gamble when the best you can hope for is 'up to 6 months of relief.'"

• Yme...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2020

"I started taking Xifaxan for suspected IBS and started having severe abdominal cramping within a few days. I called my doc six days in and told him I was in severe pain and had a low-grade fever, and he told me it’s normal to finish the 14-day course of treatment. I have suffered severe lower abdominal cramping. This is so bad I can’t stay silent when it happens, moaning and crying like a drama queen!"

• Bee...
• December 13, 2019

"I paid $750 for 42 pills. The coupons only work if you have no insurance and are dead broke. I took the 550 mg three times a day for 3 weeks. I had only minor improvement. This drug company should be ashamed. Totally outrageous."

• Bes...
• September 7, 2017

"I was put on Xifaxan three times a day for 14 days for post C. diff IBS-D. I am very sensitive to antibiotics and actually did not experience an allergy or horrible side effects, which is why I didn't rate it any lower. It was pretty tolerable to take. BUT it did not help my IBS-D; in fact, I now experience horrible urgency with IBS-D. And my lower belly has been horribly bloated since taking Xifaxan, and it has been a good month since finishing it. I literally look pregnant and am having a hard time fitting in my clothes. It is not as bad in the morning, but as soon as I eat, I am back to being extremely bloated. I assume it is colitis but haven't been back to my GI to confirm. I will post again on an update."

• Woo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 4, 2019

"I requested this medication from my GP after a long history of IBS-D and a recent diagnosis of lymphocytic colitis. I was symptom-free within 10 days, with a mild relapse occurring 12 weeks later. The relapse resolved with rest and dietary changes within 4 weeks. I had suffered from moderate to severe colitis for 6 months prior to being treated with Xifaxan. I would not hesitate to use it again if necessary."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2019

"I have IBS-mostly D and lots and lots of lower abdominal cramping that I can't get under control. My Dr. prescribed this for me to help control the cramping. It seemed to work for the first few days, and then BAM! Stomach pain, and sharp shooting pains in my rectum and lower abdomen! So I stopped taking it. Also, my frequency to the bathroom did not change, nor did the D."

• Tex...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2019

"So far, this is great! Did experience a queasy stomach the first few days, but now all is good. But not a cure-all. If you have other food intolerances, this will not correct those. I am still mindful of what I eat. No sodas, greasy foods, milk (I use almond), or chocolate. These items cause me trouble regardless. I think this will work for me, at least I can eat without looking for the nearest bathroom."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2022

"This medication has been a lifesaver. My symptoms included chronic constipation, extreme gas pain, farting, burping, and acid indigestion constantly. I have gastroparesis from nerve damage with early fullness, and most foods caused nausea, stomach pain, and noise with gurgling. I've been on a number of other ineffective meds in the past. Recently, my doctor put me on a 14-day trial of this medication at 550 mg 3x a day. I honestly felt a difference on day 2! Now I'm nearing completion of the 14 days, and almost all my extreme, very chronic symptoms are almost gone. I can successfully add in new foods and live a normal life. No gurgling and noise in my stomach, much more normal farting/burping, normal bowel movements, and minimal pain. Also, I have not experienced one side effect from this medication other than improved quality of life. I do also take Protonix for acid reflux, but this med has been the positive change. 100% recommend! I'm not sure about insurance coverage because I used samples."

• Che...
• July 15, 2017

"I have IBS with diarrhea. Out of pocket price $500.00 for Xifaxan 550 mg, three pills a day. It did not work for me at all. After two weeks of the pills diligently taken, waste of money. I had no side effects, but the pills did not work for me, the diarrhea persists, as does nausea, sweating, and stomach cramps. I have run out of ideas, as has the doctor. Don't waste your money."

• Jud...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2020

"Was prescribed Xifaxan for 2 weeks for bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. It did help but didn't fully get rid of symptoms. I had sickness after eating, gas, stomach pain, etc. Was an improvement, though. I do have insurance, and the pharmacy had to use one coupon at a time, 2 pills per prescription. It was a pain, but I paid 50 dollars total."

• can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2017

"Do not take this drug unless you have been diagnosed with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). I was given this drug by a new GI after I told him that I had been tested for SIBO with negative results. The drug made me incredibly bloated, made the diarrhea worse, and my stomach was in constant pain. This might be effective if you have SIBO, but if you do not, do not take this drug. Not to mention, even with insurance coverage, my co-pay for a 2-week supply was around $500. I just totally wasted my money on this (yet again, useless drug)."

• 385...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 1, 2023

"I have taken Xifaxan a few times. I believe 3 rounds of 14 days over the last 2 years. Sadly, the IBS always comes back, and it seems like the more I took Xifaxan, the less effect it started to have, but it still helps. My doctor just put me on a 14-day regimen but has authorized me to use it every month now, but only 1 pill a day. I just wonder if 1 pill a day is enough as long as I continue to take it."