Rifagut 550 Uses Side Effects, Dosage, Precautions & Safety Tips Explained: When, How & Why This Gut Antibiotic Is Prescribed 

Whether you are experiencing indigestion problems or have recently learned a new herbal prescription, informing yourself about Rifagut 550 in diet will help you to use it more assuredly and safely. Rifagut 550 uses mainly focuses on problems associated with the gut and the liver, where harmful bacteria play a key role in the intestines. This medicine acts directly within your gut, so that the medicine only has a limited effect wherever the problem is located.​ 

What is the Rifagut 550? 

Rifagut 550 is a branded prescription tablet of 550 mg of rifaximin – an antibiotic which is intended to remain in the intestines of the body rather than be absorbed in large quantities into the bloodstream. Because it is gut-specific and absorbed little, it may be favored for performance in some digestive diseases in comparison with many microbial antibiotics, which work all over the body. Rifagut 550 is produced in India( for illustration, by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited), and it’s a constantly specified medicine for gastroenterologists and liver specialists.​

Rifagut 550 Composition 

Each Rifagut 550 tablet is based on one active ingredient:

Rifaximin (550 mg) – Rifaximin is in the rifamycin group of antibiotic drugs. The tablet also contains inactive ingredients (excipients) that hold the tablet together and ensure stability. These inactive components are different for different manufacturers and can be found on the package insert. It’s important to tell your doctor if you have any known allergy to Rifaximin or the other rifamycin drugs or any other ingredients of the tablet.

Rifagut 550 Uses 

Rifagut 550 is not a general-purpose antibiotic, and its purpose is in the field of specific conditions of the gut and liver. The key Rifagut 550 uses include:

1. Hepatic encephalopathy ( prevention of recurrence): In individuals with advanced liver disease, poisons similar to ammonia may accumulate and impact the brain and causing confusion, sleep problems, mood/ personality changes, shaking of the hands, or indeed a coma. Rifagut 550 helps to reduce the ammonia-producing bacteria in the bowel to help reduce the rush of occurrences, ameliorate internal clarity, and improve performance during the day.​
2. Infectious diarrhea Traveler’s diarrhea: Rifagut 550 is used to treat contagious diarrhea, especially when caused by some strains of Escherichia coli( E. coli), including traveler’s diarrhea in adults. It helps to reduce the amount and frequency of passing loose stools and extrapolation duration of symptoms.​
3. Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D): Rifagut 550 is commonly used in IBS-D, in which the patient suffers from chronic or recurring diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating. In this way, through changes in the activity of gut bacteria, it can result in a reduction of these symptoms as well as improve the overall comfort and quality of life.​
4. Small intestinal bacteria overgrowth (SIBO) and associated disorders of the CYP (off-label): In practice,  still, croakers may also give rifaximin 550 mg for SIBO and certain other bacteria overgrowth-related problems, based on their own judgment, although these operations can be considered off.

Rifagut 550 only works depending on bacterial infection, not viral illnesses like the common cold or flu.​

Rifagut 550 Dosage

Since the dosage of Rifagut 550 is prescribed and is vital for success. Never make a change to the dosage that you are giving yourself. At the end of the day, your doctor will know just what kind of regimen is appropriate for you because of your condition.

Common dosages include:

• For IBS-D: 550 mg 3 times spaced at 8 hours 3 times for 14 days. 3 times A Day. And the reciprocal of fasting hepatic cells in addition to diabetes 14.
• For Hepatic Encephalopathy Prevention: 550 mg twice a day (every 12 hours). This is often long-term treatment.

How to take it: Take it whole with water. Swallow with or without food. Do not crush or chew it. Complete the entire total dose of prescribed medicines even if you feel better earlier than commanded to prevent the antibiotic from being completely eradicated, and also to avoid antibiotic resistance. If you forget to take it, take it when you remember, but not close to time for it to be time for the next one – skip it and recover your normal schedule. Never double a dose.

Rifagut 550 Storage 

Some little help for keeping them effective and safe are some of the ways, and storage:

• Store the tablets in a room temperature and don’t expose them to much heat and direct sunlight.​
• Keep in a dry, safe place (not under the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, etc.).
• To protect from moisture, keep them in the original blister pack/container until the time of use.​
• Always put out of the reach of children, pets.
• Do not use the medicine after the expiry date. Check on expiry date of the strip and dispose of leftover or expired tablets as per the instructions of your pharmacist.​

Rifagut 550 Benefits 

Rifagut 550 benefits come mainly from its gut‑focused action and low systemic absorption:

1. Targets the problem site directly: Because rifaximin remains fairly well contained in the entrails, it is able to reach high local concentrations (where the infection or bacterial imbalance actually occurs, without at the same time considerably entering the bloodstream).
2. Better safety profile: In numerous cases, minimum immersion is linked to smaller body-wide side effects and lower threat of serious systemic responses compared with some other oral antibiotics.​
3. Improves symptoms and quality of life: In the case of hepatic encephalopathy, it’s helpful in perfecting confusion, sleep problems, and the threat of hospitalization by helping to exclude the poison-producing bacteria. In IBS-D, it may reduce diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain, which can prop in helping people have further normal routine. In the case of contagious diarrhea, it can shorten the duration of the illness and ameliorate discomfort. 
4. Less need for dose adjustment in kidney disease: As it is poorly absorbed, dose adjustment is not normally needed in patients with kidney problems, but your doctor should be able to individualize treatment.​

Rifagut 550 Side Effects 

Most people tolerate Rifagut 550 well, but it is important to be aware of the possible Rifagut 550 side effects in order to take it safely.

Common side effects are usually mild and may include:

• Nausea, bloating, or gas
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Dizziness or headache
• Fatigue

Serious side effects are very uncommon, but can immediately bring you down with the medicine, and get immediate medical attention as follows: 

• Severe or bloody diarrhea (with or without stomach cramps/fever) may be a sign of a new infection in the intestine. 
• Signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of a person’s face/lips/tongue). 

Rifagut 550 Precautions 

Several simple precautions can help smooth and safely treat you:

• Full Disclosure: Provide your doctor with your full health history (especially severe liver disease) (Child-Pugh Class C)
• Drug Interactions: Tell your doctor about all the other medicines, herbal, and supplements that you are taking. Although interactions are not very common, drugs such as cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant drug) and warfarin (a blood thinner) may interact with Rifaximin.
• Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Better to use only after discussion with your doctor. 

When not to Use: Intravenous pyelogram. Do not use if you have a high fever, diarrhea, or if there is blood in your poop with diarrhea, or if you have a known intestinal blockage.

Frequently Asked Questions