This article describes Dificid’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Dificid. If you want to know more about Dificid, talk with your doctor.
Dificid is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet and an oral suspension (a type of liquid mixture). Its active ingredient is fidaxomicin. It isn’t available in a generic version. This article describes dosages of Dificid.
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Forms and strengths of Dificid
Dificid comes in these forms and strengths:
| Form | How to take | Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| oral tablet | take by swallowing | • 200 milligrams (mg) |
| oral suspension | take by swallowing | • 40 mg/1 milliliter (mL) |
Dosage of Dificid
This article describes the recommended dosages for Dificid. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Dificid without your doctor’s recommendation.
Usual recommended dosage of Dificid in adults
There’s currently only one recommended dosage of Dificid to treat diarrhea from C. diff in adults.
- Dose: 200 mg
- Frequency: two times per day for 10 days
Dosages of Dificid in children
Dificid is also approved to treat C. diff-related diarrhea in children ages 6 months and older. The recommended dosages according to body weight are shown in the table below. For reference, 1 kilogram (kg) is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
| Body weight in kg | Approximate body weight in lb | Recommended dosage |
|---|---|---|
| 4 kg to less than 7 kg | 8.8 lb to less than 15.4 lb | 80 mg two times per day |
| 7 kg to less than 9 kg | 15.4 lb to less than 19.8 lb | 120 mg two times per day |
| 9 kg to less than 12.5 kg | 19.8 lb to less than 27.5 lb | 160 mg two times per day |
| 12.5 kg and greater | 27.5 lb and greater | 200 mg two times per day |
Missed dose of Dificid
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of Dificid. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of Dificid and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Dificid and its dosage.
How long does it take for Dificid to start working?
You should stop experiencing diarrhea symptoms within 3 days of starting your Dificid prescription. To completely treat the infection, it’s important that you finish the entire treatment as prescribed by your doctor.
If you have questions about how long it takes Dificid to work, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is Dificid taken long term?
No, doctors don’t typically prescribe Dificid as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use.
If you have questions about how long you should take Dificid, talk with your doctor.
How Dificid is taken
You’ll swallow Dificid twice per day, either with or without food.
If you’re taking the oral suspension, you’ll need to store it in the fridge. Each time before a dose, you should perform the following steps.
- Remove the suspension from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- When you’re ready to take the dose, shake the suspension thoroughly.
- Then, take the dose by mouth, with or without food, using the syringe that was supplied with the bottle.
- Place the suspension back in the fridge until your next dose.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
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Get free cardOverdose of Dificid
It’s important that you do not take more Dificid than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.
What to do if you take too much Dificid
If you think you’ve taken too much Dificid, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosage for Dificid. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of Dificid without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Dificid exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will you change my dosage of Dificid if I’m also taking other medications?
- If I begin experiencing side effects, will you adjust my dosage of Dificid?
- What determines whether my dosage of Dificid is right for my condition?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.