Rifaximin Reduces the Complications of Decompensated Cirrhosis: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Summary

Cirrhotic patients are predisposed to intestinal dysmotility, bacterial overgrowth, and increased intestinal permeability all leading to an increase in bacterial translocation and increased endotoxemia. Rifaximin is an antibiotic that is virtually non-absorbed after oral administration and exhibits broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against both aerobic and anaerobic gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms within the gastrointestinal tract. It has been suggested that oral prophylactic antibiotics or bowel decontamination might improve long-term outcomes in patients with cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of rifaximin on the complications of advanced cirrhosis.

Timeline

Start

2014-08

Primary completion

2018-08

Completion

2019-08

Publications

• Results Mullen KD, Sanyal AJ, Bass NM, Poordad FF, Sheikh MY, Frederick RT, Bortey E, Forbes WP. Rifaximin is safe and well tolerated for long-term maintenance of remission from overt hepatic encephalopathy. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Aug;12(8):1390-7.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2013.12.021. Epub 2013 Dec 21.
• Results Xu D, Gao J, Gillilland M 3rd, Wu X, Song I, Kao JY, Owyang C. Rifaximin alters intestinal bacteria and prevents stress-induced gut inflammation and visceral hyperalgesia in rats. Gastroenterology. 2014 Feb;146(2):484-96.e4. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.10.026. Epub 2013 Oct 22.
• Results Lutz P, Parcina M, Bekeredjian-Ding I, Hoerauf A, Strassburg CP, Spengler U. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis by Pasteurella multocida under treatment with rifaximin. Infection. 2014 Feb;42(1):175-7. doi: 10.1007/s15010-013-0449-4. Epub 2013 Mar 25.
• Zacharias HD, Kamel F, Tan J, Kimer N, Gluud LL, Morgan MY. Rifaximin for prevention and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy in people with cirrhosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023 Jul 19;7(7):CD011585. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD011585.pub2.
• Zeng X, Sheng X, Wang PQ, Xin HG, Guo YB, Lin Y, Zhong JW, He CZ, Yin J, Liu TT, Ma WJ, Xiao X, Shi PM, Yuan ZL, Yang L, Ma X, Xu JM, Shen XZ, Yang CQ, Zhu X, Lv NH, Xie WF. Low-dose rifaximin prevents complications and improves survival in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Hepatol Int. 2021 Feb;15(1):155-165. doi: 10.1007/s12072-020-10117-y. Epub 2021 Jan 1.

Drugs

Indications