Rexigut (Rifaximin 550mg) Tablets

Rexigut is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infection of the intestines that causes traveler's diarrhoea in adults, when the diarrhoea is not accompanied by fever, blood in the stools, or 8 or more unformed (soft or liquid) stools in the last 24 hours. 

A certain type of E.Coli bacteria (Escherichia coli), known as enterotoxigenic, is the most common cause of travelers' diarrhoea and is usually ingested in contaminated food and water.  It produces a toxin that irritates the intestine resulting in diarrhoea but no inflammation. 

Rexigut is only effective against non-invasive bacteria like E. coli and not against invasive bacteria (carried in the bloodstream) including Campylobacter, Salmonella and Shigella that cause more serious dysentery-like diarrhoea.  Rexigut kills the bacteria that cause traveler's diarrhoea to relieve symptoms including watery stools, vomiting, stomach cramps and bloating, but cannot be used to treat other infections as it is not absorbed into the blood and therefore, only acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract to kill local bacteria. 

Rexigut tablets 550mg contain rifaximin, a locally acting antibiotic belonging to the rifamycin class of antibiotics.  It is a non-systemic antibiotic, which means it acts locally in the intestines and is not absorbed into the circulation.  Rifaximin in Rexigut works by binding to the bacterial enzyme DNA-dependent RNA polymerase and this action inhibits bacterial RNA synthesis.  This prevents RNA transcription and thereby the production of bacterial proteins, which inhibits growth of the bacteria.  Rifaximin in Rexigut is effective against the bacteria that cause traveler's diarrhoea to relieve symptoms including watery stools, vomiting, stomach cramps and bloating.   

Rexigut tablets contain the active ingredient rifaximin 550mg, a locally acting antibiotic used to treat travelers' diarrhoea. Rexigut (rifaximin) also contains Microcrystalline Cellulose, Sodium Starch Glycolate, Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose , Microcrystalline Cellulose, Colloidal Silicon Dioxide, Magnesium Stearate, and Instacoat Universal Orange. 

Rexigut tablets 550mg contain rifaximin, a locally acting antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infection of the intestines that causes traveler's diarrhoea in adults.  It is only effective against non-invasive bacteria like E. coli (Escherichia coli), which is the most common cause of travelers' diarrhoea and is usually ingested in contaminated food and water producing a toxin that irritates the intestine resulting in diarrhoea but no inflammation. 

Traveler's diarrhoea is characterised by diarrhoea that is not accompanied by fever, blood in the stools, or 8 or more unformed (soft or liquid) stools in 24 hours.  Rexigut is not effective against invasive bacteria (carried in the bloodstream) that cause more serious dysentery-like diarrhoea.  Rifaximin in Rexigut works by blocking the production of bacterial proteins, which prevents growth and spread of the bacteria.  Rexigut helps reduce symptoms of travelers' diarrhoea including watery stools, vomiting, stomach cramps and bloating. 

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Rexigut include dizziness, headache, fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, constipation, defecation urgency, diarrhoea, flatulence, bloating and distension, nausea and vomiting, oedema, rash.  Rexigut can result in Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD), which is a more serious form of diarrhoea ranging in severity from mild to life-threatening and is due to the changes in intestinal flora that happens when taking antibiotics. 

You should not use Rexigut if you:

• are allergic to rifaximin or any ingredients in Rexigut
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have severe liver disease
• have any form of intestinal obstruction
• Have watery diarrhoea, blood in your stools, passed 8 or more unformed stools in the last 24hours or have fever
• are taking medicines that interact with Rexigut, including other rifamycin antibiotics and the immunosuppressant ciclosporin.   
• Rexigut reduces the effect of warfarin

The dose you take, and the duration of your antibiotic course should be as recommended by your doctor. 

You should not take your Rexigut tablets 550mg for longer than 3 days unless your doctor has prescribed a course of longer duration for you.

If you miss a dose of Rexigut take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

You should store your Rexigut below 25°C in a cool dry place, well out of reach of children.