Any C Diff risk with Xifaxan for IBS-D

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MKW
Regular Contributor
Posts: 392
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2016 9:49 am

Any C Diff risk with Xifaxan for IBS-D

Postby MKW » Mon Jul 02, 2018 10:49 am

I was a recurrent c Diff sufferer, finally cured with an FMT.
Over the last year I developed SIBO and have been working with an integrative doctor with herbal antimicrobials to avoid taking Xifaxan.
My mother who is 75 has had ibs-d symptoms for about six months. She has taken bentyl provided by one doctor that didn’t really help much. This week she saw a new PCP for her annual physical. He prescribed her Xifaxan and Vsl 3 to take following. I was kind of surprised this was just the immediate approach a pcp would take for ibs symptoms.
Is it common now for this to be prescribed for ibs without other several other treatments first?
I am worried my mom could have a c Diff risk from taking it unnecessarily. Is there any significant c Diff risk with xifaxin for someone with ibs but no c Diff history that any of you know of? Thanks, Melanie

beth22
Long Time Contributor
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Joined: Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:23 pm

Re: Any C Diff risk with Xifaxan for IBS-D

Postby beth22 » Tue Jul 03, 2018 1:34 am

Xifaxan has been used to treat c diff. It is not as effective as it doesn't cover all strains. I took it when I got a terrible case of SIBO after c difficile and it did not make me relapse and it did help the SIBO. I have also taken it as a chaser to vanco in my early days of dealing with c difficile. Any antibiotic can cause c difficile, but if your mother has not had it before, this is a lower offender for sure.

georgina
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Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2015 10:07 am

Re: Any C Diff risk with Xifaxan for IBS-D

Postby georgina » Tue Jul 03, 2018 1:44 am

I took several courses of Xifaxin and always felt better after them , never relapsed.

MKW
Regular Contributor
Posts: 392
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2016 9:49 am

Re: Any C Diff risk with Xifaxan for IBS-D

Postby MKW » Tue Jul 03, 2018 8:41 am

Thanks for the responses! This is reassuring. I am hoping it helps her.


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