Xifaxan

[Guest guest]

I posted this to the group on December 26.

With the publication of a meta-analysis in the British Medical Journal in late 2004 that called into question the efficacy of

lactulose (an osmotic cathartic) for the management of hepatic encephalopathy,[14]

a secure therapeutic world was challenged. The authors of that study concluded

that " nonabsorbable disaccharides should not serve as comparator in

randomised trials on hepatic encephalopathy. " It is in this setting that the

recent US release of rifaximin,* a

nonabsorbed oral antibiotic, was reviewed in a meta-analysis conducted by Bass

and colleagues[15] from San Francisco. Using a MEDLINE search strategy

as well as other sources, these investigators analyzed 11 trials that included

the use of rifaximin in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. These data

suggested a beneficial effect of this compound ( " a statistically

nonsignificant increase in risk of no improvement " ). Ammonia levels were

significantly lowered and the drug was found to be well tolerated. We have

entered a new era in the study of the therapeutics of hepatic encephalopathy,

and rifaximin will be a player.

Barb

in Texas - Together in the Fight, Whatever it Takes!

Son (Ken)

31 - UC 91 & PSC 99

[Guest guest]

The University of Cincinnati is doing a study of rifaximin....my husband chose not to do it until he gets everything else stable from his transplant, but evidently this is "supposed" to be easier on patients...kidney wise, etc.

Bobby & Anne

COME TO LOUISVILLE FOR THE TRANSPLANT GAMES