Rifaximin (Xifaxan) is a prescription antibiotic that’s minimally absorbed, thereby retained within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It has a broad spectrum of motion in opposition to quite a few bacterial species by blocking bacterial protein manufacturing. Based mostly on the pioneering work of UCLA/Cedar-Sinai gastroenterologist, Dr. Mark Pimentel, and others, rifaximin has grow to be the antibiotic of alternative in treating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Rifaximin is efficient in killing a broad vary of species that dominate in SIBO akin to Staphylococcus, Enterococcus, and Gram-negative fecal microbes.
Using rifaximin in typical circles is growing for functions outdoors of SIBO. New indications embrace:
- IBS-D—i.e., irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea
- Rosacea—In one human medical trial, 96% of individuals skilled marked discount in rosacea pores and skin rashes with rifaximin. Contributors who skilled relapses proved to have SIBO and as soon as once more responded to rifaximin.
- Diverticular illness—Preliminary proof means that there are fewer recurrences after rifaximin vs. placebo in folks with a historical past of diverticulitis.
- Inflammatory bowel illness—Preliminary proof suggests a positive position for rifaximin in ulcerative colitis with round 67% of individuals reaching remission after rifaximin, and in Crohn’s with 52-70% reaching remission.
- Hepatic encephalopathy—The impaired psychological perform that happens in folks with liver illness improves with rifaximin.
We additionally know, with pretty ample proof, that rifaximin is reasonably efficient in eradicating SIBO. Along with responding to rifaximin, all of the circumstances listed above have additionally been proven to be accompanied by SIBO within the majority. Is there any technique to keep away from the conclusion that ALL the above circumstances are subsequently synonymous with SIBO? In any case, In different phrases, whatever the label of “rosacea” or “IBS-D” or “diverticular illness,” “it’s nearly all SIBO
Please don’t interpret this dialogue as encouragement to take rifaximin. I imagine that there are extra rational methods to cope with the dysbiosis or SIBO that drive these circumstances, in addition to the endotoxemia that accompany such microbial disruptions. As an illustration, we’ve been utilizing what I name “SIBO Yogurt,” a group of microbial species/strains that colonize the higher GI tract the place SIBO happens and produce bacteriocins efficient in opposition to the species of SIBO. We have now been witnessing round 90% success with this technique, as judged by normalization of breath hydrogen fuel through the AIRE machine. The recipe for SIBO Yogurt is in my Tremendous Intestine e book. We’re planning a proper medical trial to validate this observe in future.
