When certain bacteria are to blame for travellers’ diarrhoea, rifamycin is utilised as a treatment. Rifamycin belongs to the antibiotic drug class. It functions by preventing the development of the diarrhea-causing bacteria.

Colds, the flu, or any other viral infections will not be treated by antibiotics like rifamycin. Antibiotic overuse raises the likelihood that you’ll get an infection later on that is resistant to antibiotic therapy.

Rifamycin is available as an oral, delayed-release pill that releases the prescription in the colon so that it can function there, where its benefits are most needed. For three days, it is typically taken twice daily (in the morning and evening), with or without food. Rifamycin should be taken every day at roughly the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Rifamycin should be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Never take it with alcohol; take each dose with a glass of fluids (at least 6-8 ounces [177-240 millilitres]).

Do not chew, break, or crush the tablets; instead, swallow them whole.

During the first few days of receiving rifamycin medication, you ought to start feeling better. Call your doctor as soon as possible if your symptoms do not go away in 48 hours or worsen, or if you experience fever or bloody diarrhoea.

Even if you feel better, continue taking the rifamycin until the prescription is finished. Your infection could not be entirely healed if you stop taking rifamycin too soon or skip doses, and the bacteria might develop an antibiotic resistance.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking rifamycin,

• If you have any allergies to rifamycin, rifaximin (Xifaxan), rifbutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater), any other medications, or any of the substances in rifamycin tablets, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or dietary supplements you are currently taking or intend to take. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• If you have or have ever had any additional medical conditions, let your doctor know.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking rifamycin.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects are possible with rifamycin. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Constipation
• Headache

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

• During your therapy or for two months after, you may experience fever, stomach pains, and diarrhoea that is either bloody or watery.

Other negative effects of rifamycin are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

No one else should take your medication.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.