Rifaximin (Xifaxan): Gut-Targeted Antibiotic for IBS-D

Rifaximin (Xifaxan) is a non-systemic antibiotic for IBS-D that stays in the gut, reducing SIBO with minimal systemic side effects. Typical course: 2 weeks.

Rifaximin (brand name Xifaxan) is a gut-targeted antibiotic used for IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D). Unlike systemic antibiotics, rifaximin stays almost entirely within the gastrointestinal tract with minimal systemic absorption. Mechanism: Reduces small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which is implicated in many IBS-D cases. Typical treatment course: 2 weeks. Helps with bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort associated with IBS-D. Key advantage over systemic antibiotics: because it is not absorbed into the bloodstream, rifaximin has fewer systemic side effects and does not disrupt bacterial populations outside the gut.

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