Rifaquin 550mg Tablet is an antibiotic that treats hepatic encephalopathy, a condition in which the liver fails to remove harmful toxins from the blood, leading to brain damage. It is also used to treat infectious diarrhea. It works by killing and stopping the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestines.

It is an antibiotic.

Uses of Rifaquin Tablet

Treatment of Hepatic encephalopathy
Treatment of Infectious diarrhea

Benefits of Rifaquin Tablet

In Treatment of Hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy is a severe liver disease that can cause changes in brain function leading to confusion, tremors (shaking), sleep problems and loss of consciousness. Symptoms include agitation, confusion, muscle problems, difficulty in speaking, and sometimes, coma. Rifaquin 550mg Tablet lowers the levels of ammonia-producing bacteria in the blood which has harmful effects on the brain. If taken as prescribed, this medicine can improve your brain function and reduce symptoms associated with hepatic encephalopathy.

In Treatment of Infectious diarrhea

Infectious diarrhea is a condition characterized by the sudden onset of loose or watery stools caused by harmful microorganisms in the digestive system. Rifaquin 550mg Tablet helps treat infectious diarrhea by targeting and stopping the growth of harmful bacteria in the intestines. This medicine interferes with the bacteria's ability to make important proteins they need to survive and multiply. This helps to get rid of the bad bacteria causing the infection, which in turn reduces the diarrhea and helps you feel better.

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Side effects of Rifaquin Tablet

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Rifaquin

Dizziness
Nausea
Peripheral edema
Ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity)
Fatigue
Depression
Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the throat and nasal passages)
Joint pain
Rash
Muscle pain

How to use Rifaquin Tablet

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Rifaquin 550mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How Rifaquin Tablet works

Rifaquin 550mg Tablet is an antibiotic. It works by killing the ammonia-producing bacteria in the digestive tract. This treats your infection and relieves symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy (agitation, confusion, muscle problems). This also helps reduce the recurrence of episodes of hepatic encephalopathy.

Safety advice

Alcohol

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Rifaquin 550mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Rifaquin 550mg Tablet may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Rifaquin 550mg Tablet is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.

Driving

SAFE

Rifaquin 550mg Tablet does not usually affect your ability to drive.

Kidney

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Rifaquin 550mg Tablet is probably safe to use in patients with kidney disease. Limited data available suggests that dose adjustment of Rifaquin 550mg Tablet may not be needed in these patients. Please consult your doctor.

Liver

CAUTION

Rifaquin 550mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe liver disease. Dose adjustment of Rifaquin 550mg Tablet may be needed. Please consult your doctor.

What if you forget to take Rifaquin Tablet?

If you miss a dose of Rifaquin 550mg Tablet, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

Rifaquin 550mg Tablet

₹34.5/Tablet

Rifagut 550 Tablet

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

₹40.9/tablet

29% costlier

Rcifax 550 Tablet

Lupin Ltd

₹45.33/tablet

43% costlier

Sibofix 550 Tablet

Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd

₹45.25/tablet

43% costlier

Rixmin 550 Tablet

Cipla Ltd

₹46.75/tablet

47% costlier

Gutwin 550 Tablet

Win-Medicare Pvt Ltd

₹31.5/tablet

1% cheaper

View all substitutes

Quick tips

Rifaquin 550mg Tablet reduces the risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in patients with liver disease.
It may cause reddish discoloration of urine. This is normal and harmless.
Stop taking Rifaquin 550mg Tablet and inform your doctor if you have severe diarrhea during or after using Rifaquin 550mg Tablet.
Finish the full course of the medication, even if you feel better.

Fact Box

Chemical Class

Rifamycin derivatives

Habit Forming

Therapeutic Class

GASTRO INTESTINAL

Action Class

RNA polymerase inhibitors- Rifamycins

Patient concerns

hepatic encephalopathy fro 12 October

Dr. Saurav Arora

Homeopathy

Dear sir as your case is a chronic case it requires long case taking, examination and regular follow up, therefore, please visit a homeopath so that he can examine you and guide you accordingly.

Jaundice liver cirrhosis. Hepatic encephalopathy and ascites not edema with Sodium 107. Can we use tolvaptone?

Dr. Gurpreet Singh

Physician

Sir consult a hepatologist

FAQs

Should I take Rifaquin 550mg Tablet with food?

Yes, Rifaquin 550mg Tablet can be taken orally with or without food with a glass of water. Take it as prescribed by your doctor for the exact period of time.

What does Rifaquin 550mg Tablet do for the liver?

In liver disease, there is an increased growth of bacteria in the intestine which increases the load of toxins travelling through the body. This further increases the possibility of toxins reaching the brain which can cause abnormal brain function. Rifaquin 550mg Tablet slows down the growth of bacteria in the gut, decreasing the symptoms in cases of liver disease.

Can Rifaquin 550mg Tablet cause weight gain?

Usually Rifaquin 550mg Tablet does not cause weight gain. However, in case you feel there is an increase in weight, you should consult your doctor to determine the reason of weight gain.

Related lab tests

Stool Examination R/M

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Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

References

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1215-16.
Rifaximin [Package Insert]. Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd.; 2015. [Accessed 05 Aug. 2023] (online) Available from:
CiplaMed. Rifaximin [Prescribing Information]. [Accessed 05 Aug. 2023] (online) Available from:

Marketer details

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Address: 95, 1st Floor, Sector-21, Panchkula, Haryana 134117

Country of origin: India

The list of available options shown with the same composition has been prepared upon the advice of registered medical practitioners, pharmacists affiliated with TATA 1MG. TATA 1MG does not promote any pharmaceutical product of any particular company, and all recommendations are based on the medical opinion, advisories from specialist medical and pharmaceutical professionals.