Patient Leaflet Updated 17-Jul-2024 | Norgine Limited
Rifaximin 550 mg film-coated tablets
Rifaximin 550mg film-coated tablets
1. What Rifaximin 550mg is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Rifaximin 550mg
3. How to take Rifaximin 550mg
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Rifaximin 550mg
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Rifaximin 550mg contains the active substance rifaximin. Rifaximin 550mg is an antibiotic that destroys bacteria, which can cause a disease called hepatic encephalopathy (symptoms include agitation, confusion, muscle problems, difficulty in speaking and in some cases coma).
Rifaximin 550mg is used in adults with liver disease to reduce the recurrence of episodes of overt hepatic encephalopathy.
Rifaximin 550mg can either be used alone or more commonly together with medicines containing lactulose (a laxative).
Do not take Rifaximin 550mg:
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Rifaximin 550mg.
If you have ever developed a severe skin rash or skin peeling, blistering and/or mouth sores after taking rifaximin.
Take special care with rifaximin:
Serious skin reactions including including Stevens-Johnson-syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported in association with rifaximin treatment. Stop using rifaximin and seek medical attention immediately of you notice any of the symptoms related to these serious skin reactions described in section 4
While you are taking Rifaximin 550mg your urine may turn a reddish colour. This is quite normal.
Treatment with any antibiotic including rifaximin may cause severe diarrhoea. This can happen several months after you have finished taking the medicine. If you have severe diarrhoea during or after using Rifaximin 550mg you should stop taking Rifaximin 550mg and contact your doctor immediately.
If your liver problems are severe your doctor will need to observe you carefully.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.
Rifaximin 550mg is not recommended for children and adolescents aged under 18 years. This medicine has not been studied in children and adolescents.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Please tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
It is not known if Rifaximin 550mg can harm your unborn baby. Rifaximin 550mg is therefore not to be used if you are pregnant.
It is not known if rifaximin may be passed to your baby in breast milk. Rifaximin 550mg is therefore not to be used if you are breast-feeding.
Rifaximin 550mg does not normally affect the ability to drive and use machines, but may cause dizziness in some patients. If you feel dizzy you should not drive or operate machinery.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The recommended dose is 1 tablet twice a day taken with a glass of water.
Continue taking Rifaximin 550mg until your doctor tells you to stop.
If you take more than the recommended number of tablets, even if you do not notice any problems, please contact your doctor.
Take the next dose at its normal time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.
Do not stop taking Rifaximin 550mg without talking to your doctor first because your symptoms may return.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Rifaximin 550mg does not require any special storage conditions.
Do not throw away any medicine via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
The active substance is rifaximin. Each tablet contains 550mg rifaximin.
The other ingredients are:
Pink oval curved film-coated tablets marked with “RX” on one side.
Rifaximin 550mg is available in cartons of 14, 28, 42, 56 and 98 tablets.
Not all pack-sizes may be marketed.
Or
This leaflet was last revised in July 2024.
This medicine is authorised in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names:
TARGAXAN®: Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg.
XIFAXAN®: Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden.
Rifaximin 550mg: United Kingdom.
Other sources of information
If you need the information on this leaflet in an alternative format, such as large print, or Braille please ring 0800 198 5000.
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