Xifaxan side effects

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Xifaxan oral tablet to:

• treat traveler’s diarrhea caused by certain types of the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) in adults and some children
• reduce the risk of repeat episodes of hepatic encephalopathy in adults
• treat irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea in adults

This article describes possible side effects of Xifaxan oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about Xifaxan, including the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Xifaxan is a brand-name medication that comes as oral tablet. It isn’t available in a generic version. This article describes possible side effects of Xifaxan.

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More common side effects of Xifaxan

Xifaxan oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects.

Below are some of the more common side effects of Xifaxan oral tablet that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the condition being treated.

More common side effects reported in people taking Xifaxan oral tablet for traveler’s diarrhea include:

• headache

More common side effects reported in people taking Xifaxan oral tablet for hepatic encephalopathy include:

• swelling in the legs and arms
• nausea*
• dizziness
• constipation
• fatigue (tiredness)
• fluid buildup in the abdomen

More common side effects reported in people taking Xifaxan oral tablet for irritable bowel syndrome include:

• nausea*

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Xifaxan in detail” section below.

Mild side effects of Xifaxan

Xifaxan may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of Xifaxan oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• headache
• nausea*
• dizziness
• fatigue (tiredness)
• muscle spasms or aches
• joint pain
• shortness of breath
• itchiness
• abdominal pain
• fever

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Xifaxan in detail” section below.

Xifaxan oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of Xifaxan

Xifaxan may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from Xifaxan oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Xifaxan.

Serious side effects of Xifaxan oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• severe diarrhea caused by a Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection*
• depression*
• anemia (low red blood cell levels)

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of Xifaxan in detail” section below.

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Allergic reaction

For some people, Xifaxan oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.

Ways to manage

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Xifaxan oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.

Common questions about side effects of Xifaxan

Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of Xifaxan oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Will I experience side effects after stopping Xifaxan?

Possibly. Xifaxan can increase your risk of developing severe diarrhea related to a Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection. This can occur during Xifaxan treatment or over 2 months after stopping the drug.

If you develop severe diarrhea during or after treatment with Xifaxan, talk with your doctor.

How long do Xifaxan side effects last?

In most cases, Xifaxan side effects will go away within a few days or weeks.

If you’re experiencing worsening side effects or side effects that won’t go away while taking Xifaxan, talk with your doctor.

Can Xifaxan be used for SIBO? If so, what side effects does it cause when used for this condition?

Possibly. But Xifaxan isn’t approved for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). It’s approved to treat certain types of diarrhea and a brain condition related to liver disease.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe Xifaxan off-label for SIBO. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

To learn more about Xifaxan side effects when used for SIBO, talk with your doctor.

Is weight gain a side effect of Xifaxan?

It’s not likely. Weight gain wasn’t reported as a side effect in studies of Xifaxan.

However, fluid buildup was common in people who took Xifaxan for hepatic encephalopathy. This includes fluid buildup in your hands, lower legs, and abdomen. In some cases, fluid buildup can lead to weight gain.

If you gain weight while taking Xifaxan, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment.

Side effects of Xifaxan in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of Xifaxan oral tablet.

Nausea

In studies, nausea was common in people taking Xifaxan oral tablet for hepatic encephalopathy and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. This side effect is usually mild.

With nausea, you can experience a feeling of wanting to vomit. You may also have an upset stomach.

Ways to manage

If you experience nausea, you may want to:

• change your eating habits to eat small, frequent meals
• avoid spicy, high fat, or greasy food
• take frequent sips of water
• get outside for fresh air

If you experience extremely bothersome or persistent nausea, tell your doctor. If necessary, they can recommend other treatments to manage your symptoms.

Severe diarrhea caused by a Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection

Xifaxan can cause diarrhea that’s related to a Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection. Antibiotics, such as Xifaxan, change the normal flora in the colon. (Flora is bacteria and other organisms). This can lead to an overgrowth of certain bacteria, such as C. diff, and result in an infection in your intestines.

C. diff-related diarrhea can cause symptoms that range from mild diarrhea to life threatening inflammation of your colon. The symptoms can occur during treatment or over 2 months after stopping Xifaxan. Other symptoms can include:

• more frequent diarrhea
• nausea
• abdominal cramping
• fever
• bloody stool

Ways to manage

If you experience worsening or persistent diarrhea while taking Xifaxan or after treatment, tell your doctor. If you’re still taking Xifaxan, they’ll likely have you stop the drug. They may also prescribe other treatments to manage your symptoms.

Depression

In rare cases, taking Xifaxan may increase your risk of depression. Depression is a mood disorder that’s characterized by feelings of sadness, decreased energy, or hopelessness.

Symptoms of depression may include:

• feeling sad, anxious, or empty
• crying a lot
• feeling bothered, annoyed, or angry
• loss of interest in hobbies and interests you once enjoyed
• decreased energy
• difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
• appetite changes

Ways to manage

If you experience symptoms of depression while taking Xifaxan, tell your doctor. They can help determine the cause and discuss whether you should continue taking Xifaxan. If needed, they can also refer you to a mental health professional.

Warnings for Xifaxan

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking Xifaxan oral tablet.

Warnings

It may not be safe for you to take Xifaxan oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether Xifaxan oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking Xifaxan oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:

• liver problems
• past allergic reaction to Xifaxan

Xifaxan and pregnancy

It’s not known whether Xifaxan oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Xifaxan and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Xifaxan oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Xifaxan and alcohol

Xifaxan oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.

But alcohol and Xifaxan can cause similar side effects, such as headache, nausea, and dizziness. Mixing alcohol and Xifaxan can increase your risk of experiencing these side effects or make these side effects worse.

Alcohol can also cause diarrhea. Keep in mind that Xifaxan is used to treat certain types of diarrhea. So drinking alcohol during Xifaxan treatment can make it hard to tell whether Xifaxan is working.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with Xifaxan oral tablet.

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.