Use of Rifaxamin in Patients of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Pre Dominant Diarrhea

Abstract: AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To find out the effect of Rifixamin in patients of irritable bowel syndrome with predominant diarrhea. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was carried out from January 2012 to September 2012 on patients presenting to medical OPD of Mayo Hospital, Lahore. STUDY DESIGN: It is descriptive type of study. RESULTS: Out of 30 patients presenting to medical OPD with diagnosis of diarrhea predominant irritable bowel syndrome 18 (60%) were females and 12 (40 %)were males.  The age of the patients were between 13-38 years.  All the patients were prescribed Tab. Rifaximin 550 mg three times a day for 14 days and were assessed for their complaints like diarrhea its frequency and consistency using 5 point scale for stool consistency, abdominal pain and abdominal bloating using Li Kert scoring.  The patients were assessed for their complaints on day 15 and again after 2 months.  It was found out that out of 30 patients 18 (60%), patients showed improvement in their global symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome at 15 day of follow up, but at 2 months of follow up out of 18 (60%)patients who responded to Rifaximin treatment at 15 day only 12 (40%)patients reported to have consistent improvement in symptoms while 6 (20%) patients again developed, diarrhea abdominal pain and bloating 2 (6%)patients left the study at 3 rd day of treatment due to increase in frequency of diarrhea.  It was observed that drug was more effective in females and older individuals.  Out of 18 patients who responded 11 (61%)were females and the patients were of relatively of older age. CONCLUSION : It was found out that treatment with Rifaximin provided significant relief of IBS symptoms, bloating abdominal pain and diarrhea. KEY WORDS: Irritable bowel syndrome, Rifaximin, diarrhea.

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