When we follow a drug treatment, we think about the side effects of the products but often not about how the body absorbs them. When we follow a drug treatment, we think about the side effects of the products but often not about how the body absorbs them. In this article we are talking about Xifaxan, and 6 Foods to Avoid While Taking Xifaxan.
What is rifaximin (Xifaxan)?
Rifaximin is used to treat travellers’ diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) in adults and children 12 years of age and older. Most people get this infection from eating food or drinking liquids contaminated with E. coli bacteria.
Rifaximin is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults where the main symptom is diarrhea. Rifaximin is also used to reduce the risk of declining brain function in adults with liver failure. Brain function can be affected when the liver stops working and cannot eliminate toxic substances from the body. Rifaximin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
6 Foods to Avoid While Taking medications
Grapefruit Juice
It is necessary to avoid the consumption of this fruit as well as its juice when taking cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins, antihistamines, hypotensives, birth control pills, antacids, cough syrups as well as thyroid treatments.
Green leafy vegetables
During anticoagulant treatments, it is necessary to avoid the consumption of foods rich in vitamin K to avoid the opposite effect as well as complications.
Foods rich in tyramine
Chocolate, very mature cheeses, smoked, dried or even processed meats, fermented soybeans and draft beer are foods to avoid because they are rich in tyramine (a derivative of the amino acid tyrosine which acts as a catecholamine releaser) when taking antidepressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (they can then increase blood pressure too much), but also with treatments to limit the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
The alcohol
It is well known that alcohol should be avoided when taking medication, but some are more dangerous, notably antidepressants, neuroleptics and antibiotics.
Caffeine
Coffee, sodas, and heavy tea consumption should be avoided when taking antibiotics, especially those used for urinary tract infections.
Milk
Milk limits the absorption of antibiotics such as tetracycline because of a high content of calcium ions in a milk and the antibiotic which end up in competition in the body.
In practice:
It is recommended to always ask the pharmacist for advice adapted to your treatment. Ask him what foods to avoid while taking xifaxan? what to eat while taking xifaxan?
How should I take rifaximin (Xifaxan)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read any medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
You can take rifaximin with or without food.
For travelers’ diarrhea, rifaximin is usually taken for only 3 days. For IBS, rifaximin is usually taken for 2 weeks at a time. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully.
Use this medication for as long as it is prescribed, even if your symptoms improve quickly. Skipping doses can increase your risk of a drug-resistant infection. Rifaximin will not treat a viral infection such as the flu or a cold.
