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Digestive Diseases and Sciences
Published in: Digestive Diseases and Sciences 1/2008

01-01-2008 | Original Paper

Rifaximin versus Other Antibiotics in the Primary Treatment and Retreatment of Bacterial Overgrowth in IBS

Authors: Janet Yang, Hyo-Rang Lee, Kimberly Low, Soumya Chatterjee, Mark Pimentel

Published in: Digestive Diseases and Sciences | Issue 1/2008

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Abstract

Purpose

Previous studies demonstrate improvement in IBS after antibiotic therapy, with the greatest efficacy seen with the antibiotic, rifaximin. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of rifaximin in both the treatment and retreatment of IBS.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted on Rome I-positive IBS patients. Charts were reviewed to evaluate all antibiotic treatments (rifaximin, neomycin, doxycycline, amoxicillin/clavulanate, and ciprofloxacin), even those predating 1 July 2004. Data collection included symptoms, breath test results (pre- and post-treatment), antibiotics used, and clinical response to individual antibiotic treatments before and after rifaximin availability in the USA.

Results

Out of 98 eligible charts, 84 patients received one course of rifaximin. Fifty of these (60%) had a follow-up breath test. Among these, 31 (62%) were clinical responders and 19 (38%) were nonresponders. Of 31 responders, 25 (81%) had a normal follow-up breath test compared with only 3 of the 19 nonresponders (16%) (P < 0.001). Of participants given rifaximin, 69% (58 out of 84) had a clinical response compared with only 38% (9 out of 24) with neomycin (P < 0.01) and 44% (27 out of 61) with all non-rifaximin antibiotics (P < 0.01). Rifaximin was used as retreatment on 16 occasions, and all patients improved.

Conclusions

Rifaximin is more effective than other antibiotics in the treatment and retreatment of IBS.
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Metadata
Title
Rifaximin versus Other Antibiotics in the Primary Treatment and Retreatment of Bacterial Overgrowth in IBS
Authors
Janet Yang
Hyo-Rang Lee
Kimberly Low
Soumya Chatterjee
Mark Pimentel
Publication date
01-01-2008
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Digestive Diseases and Sciences / Issue 1/2008
Print ISSN: 0163-2116
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2568
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-007-9839-8

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