Xifaxan and Bloating: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• February 9, 2010

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I absolutely am amazed by Xifaxan. After suffering from IBS symptoms for years (you know, wake up with a flat stomach, go to bed looking 7 months pregnant, in addition to painful cramps, horrid gas, etc.), the Xifaxan eliminated my symptoms in a matter of days. My bad flatulence disappeared. Bloating gone. Lost a few pounds to boot. Unfortunately, after two rounds in Sept-Oct, my symptoms were back in December. If I could, I would take Xifaxan every day. Insurance is not cooperative. After 24 hours on this latest round, my bloating is well diminished and my low back pain is better (maybe because when IBS symptoms aren't bad, I can more easily contract my abdominals)."

• Suf...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I took a two-week course of Xifaxan for IBS-D and suspected SIBO. I had side effects the first two days and then tolerated it well; however, it did nothing for my IBS symptoms. The real trouble started the day after I stopped taking Xifaxan. I now have severe abdominal pain, bloating, and gas and can hardly eat anything. This has also resulted in my doctor ordering blood tests and an abdominal CT because there is no information about the adverse effects of Xifaxan, and he feels the need to rule out other things. I’m happy for those people who have had success with this drug, but I’m not one of them. Completely miserable; much worse than before the drug!"

• vnl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 7, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I used the 14-day dosage...for those 14 days, I suffered extreme gas & bloating with gas pains from my rectum into my shoulders. I was absolutely miserable but carried through, completing the prescription...for the next month or so, I continued to suffer with the extreme gas and pains, which gradually subsided. I suffered with occasional diarrhea, but rare and some constipation, until it all settled down. I have now been 2+ months with normally formed bowel movements. I do rarely have some urgency but the stools are formed, not liquid. This medication has been life-changing for me...I can now sit and enjoy a meal with friends and family without constantly having on my mind that I am, at any point, going to need to rush to the bathroom."

• Fel...
• July 5, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I was prescribed Xifaxan because of symptoms of SIBO. No test done because they’re not reliable, according to the gastroenterologist. I followed everything the doctor suggested: FODMAP, Align probiotics, simethicone for gas. After 11 doses of the 550 mg three times daily, I decided to discontinue. The bloating has gotten so bad, and I am now constipated. I feel so much worse now than when I saw the doctor. It works for some lucky patients but not for me...."

• hep...
• January 30, 2015

For Hepatic Encephalopathy "I had taken Lactulose for almost 5 years before Xifaxan came out. I had a lot of diarrhea, general bloating, and abdominal discomfort with Lactulose. That all disappeared when I started Xifaxan, and I would encourage patients to do themselves a favor and improve their quality of life by asking their doctor for Xifaxan. My ammonia is less than 25, better than when I took Lactulose, and my feeling of well-being is 10 out of 10."

• Tir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 6, 2016

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I've had IBS-D for 25 years. I was always told there was nothing the medical community could do about it. So I suffered through it and took lots of Imodium. So when I saw advertisements for Xifaxan, I was so hopeful. I saw a new GI doc, and he immediately told me that this med was the best hope for IBS and that its effectiveness was terrific. So I was so very, very hopeful this would work, and it did, for the 14 days I was on it. The day after stopping my 14-day regimen, my extreme bloating was back, and within a week, my symptoms were exactly as before. Now, after 6 weeks, my symptoms seem even worse. Going back to the doc in 6 weeks. Will see what else might help. Good luck to all of you! It's a terrible disease to have to deal with!"

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

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "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."

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

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "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."

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

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "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."

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

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "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)."

• Its...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 30, 2022

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Had been suffering from crazy bloating and belching/gas within 30-90 minutes after eating for months. Chest would get tight, bad enough that it gave me an anxiety attack or two. Heartburn from the gas riding up the esophagus. I've always loved eating but was starting to not want to eat meals because of the constant discomfort. Saw a new GI doctor who suspected SIBO and prescribed Xifaxan. The first couple of days were a bit rough in the bowels; there was definitely something going on. After that, side effects went down to minimal, and eating started getting easier again! Still finishing the prescription, but this is the most hopeful I've felt in a while. It really seems to work!"

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2018

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Started to take this 2 days ago. I have IBS-C for years but has been getting worse. Bloating, gas, foggy brain, no energy, especially in mornings, mild depression, insomnia from gas pains at night. So far, nothing. FODMAP diet helps along with exercise, probiotics, and occasional Metamucil. Won't rate till done with script."

• JJS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2024

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "44 yo male. Suffered from IBS-D for about a year. Bloating after meals, painful cramps in abdomen most of the day. Diarrhea 3 times a day and farts nonstop that I couldn’t trust: Xifaxan is a great medication. It’s been 4 days; by day two, it stopped everything other than some of the bloating. I have one large, perfect bowel movement every day! No more cramps! No more scary farts! Feels so amazing to have relief from these symptoms. Still some bloating on day 4, but with one digestive enzyme capsule after a meal, it’s gone within 20 min. Only negative so far is foot pain. Neuropathy, it feels like. Tingling and pins and needles; sharp pain. Hurts to walk on feet, even hurts with feet up sitting or laying down. This is frustrating. Have to speak with my gastroenterologist today to see what I can do about this. Other than that, it’s a miracle drug. Insurance covered it; I’m blessed/lucky to have a good policy."

• Roc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2023

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "I have basically unconfirmed IBS. Tremendous bloating and constipation. It can be really awful. Been on Linzess for a few years, which helps, but you have to be careful when you take it so you don’t poop in your pants."

• Abi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2019

For Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea "Stopped using Xifaxan after 5 days. Caused immediate bloating but wanted to give it a chance."