Xifaxan is an antibiotic intended to halt the growth of bacteria. Xifaxan is a medication prescribed to patients with diarrhea, but should not be used if the diarrhea is bloody or if it is accompanied by a fever. Be sure to report these symptoms to your doctor. Distinction between a bacterial and viral infection is important because this drug offers no value in fighting viral infections, such as the common cold or influenza. Taking antibiotics unnecessarily does more harm than good as bacterial infections may become resistant to the drug later on.
Medicare Benefits for Xifaxan
If your doctor prescribes Xifaxan, it may be covered under Medicare Part D. If you are enrolled in Original Medicare, you can enroll in a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). Alternatively, you can choose to get your Part A and Part B benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan that may include prescription drug coverage. Each prescription drug plan may vary in cost and coverage, so check if Xifaxan is included in your plan’s formulary, the list of drugs covered. You may also search for its brand name, rifaximin, to check for coverage.
Suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D)
Xifaxan is manufactured by Salix Pharmaceuticals and is the only FDA-approved treatment that works mainly in the gut to inhibit the growth of bacteria that may be causing IBS-D. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a condition that impacts from 6% to 18% of people across the globe. It causes not only diarrhea but lower abdominal pain, cramping, flatulence and bloating. Constipation can be a symptom as well. Certain lifestyle behaviors and conditions can propel symptoms, including food intake, stress, low-quality sleep and a change in the gut bacteria.
Xifaxan or rifaximin is frequently prescribed for traveler’s diarrhea where the cause is a common bacteria, often experienced by people exposed to food and beverages they are not used to. Additionally, the medication can be used to treat hepatic encephalopathy (HE). This is a brain abnormality resulting from toxins building up in the brain as an outcome of progressive liver disease. The drug’s value is its ability to impede bacteria that produces toxins during digestion.
If you experience symptoms that indicate this drug may be what you need, talk to your doctor. Inquire about the risks as well as the benefits to feel confident that you have made an informed decision.
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