RIFATUF 400

Rifaximin is a rifamycin-derived antibiotic with a unique and highly advantageous pharmacological profile — it is virtually non-absorbable from the gastrointestinal tract. Following oral administration, less than 0.4% of rifaximin is absorbed systemically, meaning essentially the entire administered dose acts locally within the gut lumen, achieving extremely high intraluminal concentrations (>8000 μg/g of stool) while maintaining negligible systemic drug levels.

Rifaximin exerts bactericidal activity by binding irreversibly to the beta subunit of bacterial DNA-directed RNA polymerase, blocking the initiation of RNA synthesis. Without RNA polymerase function, bacteria cannot transcribe DNA into mRNA, halting protein production and killing the organism. This mechanism is identical to systemic rifamycins (rifampicin), but rifaximin's non-systemic nature restricts its activity exclusively to the gastrointestinal tract.

The clinical consequences of this pharmacology are profound: rifaximin provides high-concentration antibacterial activity across the entire gastrointestinal mucosa from duodenum to colon without any systemic antibiotic effects. This means no systemic side effects, no impact on systemic bacterial flora outside the gut, no significant drug interactions, and an extremely low risk of selecting systemic antibiotic resistance. The gut microbiome modulation effect — reducing pathological bacterial overgrowth while preserving commensal flora — accounts for rifaximin's efficacy in hepatic encephalopathy and irritable bowel syndrome beyond its direct antibacterial actions.

RIFATUF 400 is indicated for gastrointestinal bacterial infections and conditions mediated by gut bacterial dysbiosis, where local intraluminal antibiotic activity without systemic absorption is clinically desirable.

Traveller's Diarrhoea (Primary Indication): Rifaximin 200mg three times daily for 3 days is guideline-recommended for non-invasive traveller's diarrhoea caused by non-invasive E. coli. Provides relief without systemic antibiotic exposure or disruption of systemic flora.

Hepatic Encephalopathy: Prevention of recurrent overt hepatic encephalopathy in adults with liver cirrhosis — one of rifaximin's most important and evidence-backed indications. By reducing ammonia-producing gut bacteria, rifaximin reduces blood ammonia levels and prevents the neuropsychiatric deterioration of HE. The 550mg dose (RIFATUF 550) is used for this indication.

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): Rifaximin 400mg three times daily for 10–14 days is the standard treatment for SIBO — reducing pathological bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine causing bloating, diarrhoea, and malabsorption.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS-D): Non-constipating IBS with diarrhoea predominance where gut bacterial dysbiosis is implicated — rifaximin courses produce sustained symptomatic improvement.

H. pylori Eradication: As part of salvage regimens in patients with failed standard triple therapy.

Dosage and administration should be as prescribed by a qualified doctor or medical professional. Do not self-medicate. Always follow your physician's instructions regarding dose, frequency and duration of treatment.