Effect of non-absorbable antibiotic, rifaximin in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center randomized controlled study

Bhagyalekshmi N; Ramesh M; Prathibha V K; J Xavier Ignatius

doi:10.5455/njppp.2018.8.1246807022018

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Online Published: 16 Feb 2018

Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2018; 8(6): 867-871

doi: 10.5455/njppp.2018.8.1246807022018

Effect of non-absorbable antibiotic, rifaximin in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center randomized controlled study

Bhagyalekshmi N, Ramesh M, Prathibha V K, J Xavier Ignatius.

Abstract
Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), most common functional bowel disease, does not have a definite treatment. Studies revealed the involvement of bacterial overgrowth for its pathology. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a non-absorbable antibiotic.

Aims and Objectives: The primary objective of the study is to assess the efficacy of a 14 days course of oral rifaximin at 400 mg thrice daily in patients with IBS without constipation. The secondary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety of a 14 days course of rifaximin at 400 mg thrice daily as compared with placebo in patients with IBS without constipation.

Materials and Methods: In this single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled study, we recruited patients, using Rome III criteria in 2 years. Treatment group received rifaximin 400 mg thrice daily for 2 weeks. All patients underwent symptom assessment and safety assessment before inclusion, at the end of the treatment and 1 week after the regimen. Primary endpoint (proportion of patients who achieved adequate relief of IBS symptoms) and Likert scales of symptoms of both groups were compared.

Results: Proportion of subject, who achieved adequate relief of IBS symptoms in the rifaximin arm, is more than placebo (68% vs. 39.1%). At the end of 2 weeks therapy, both groups show significant improvement in bloating score (P < 0.002), pain score (P < 0.001), and overall score (P < 0.002) and it continued for 1 more week. There were no significant adverse effects reported.

Conclusion: A 2 weeks course of 400 mg rifaximin thrice daily regimen provided a significant improvement in global IBS symptoms.

Key words: Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Rifaximin; Non-absorbable Antibiotic; Randomized Controlled Study

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Pubmed Style

N B, M R, K PV, Ignatius JX. Effect of non-absorbable antibiotic, rifaximin in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center randomized controlled study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2018; 8(6): 867-871. doi:10.5455/njppp.2018.8.1246807022018

Web Style

N B, M R, K PV, Ignatius JX. Effect of non-absorbable antibiotic, rifaximin in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center randomized controlled study. https://www.njppp.com/?mno=285114 [Access: November 02, 2025]. doi:10.5455/njppp.2018.8.1246807022018

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

N B, M R, K PV, Ignatius JX. Effect of non-absorbable antibiotic, rifaximin in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center randomized controlled study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. 2018; 8(6): 867-871. doi:10.5455/njppp.2018.8.1246807022018

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

N B, M R, K PV, Ignatius JX. Effect of non-absorbable antibiotic, rifaximin in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center randomized controlled study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol. (2018), [cited November 02, 2025]; 8(6): 867-871. doi:10.5455/njppp.2018.8.1246807022018

Harvard Style

N, B., M, . R., K, . P. V. & Ignatius, . J. X. (2018) Effect of non-absorbable antibiotic, rifaximin in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center randomized controlled study. Natl J Physiol Pharm Pharmacol, 8 (6), 867-871. doi:10.5455/njppp.2018.8.1246807022018

Turabian Style

N, Bhagyalekshmi, Ramesh M, Prathibha V K, and J Xavier Ignatius. 2018. Effect of non-absorbable antibiotic, rifaximin in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center randomized controlled study. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 8 (6), 867-871. doi:10.5455/njppp.2018.8.1246807022018

Chicago Style

N, Bhagyalekshmi, Ramesh M, Prathibha V K, and J Xavier Ignatius. "Effect of non-absorbable antibiotic, rifaximin in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center randomized controlled study." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 8 (2018), 867-871. doi:10.5455/njppp.2018.8.1246807022018

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

N, Bhagyalekshmi, Ramesh M, Prathibha V K, and J Xavier Ignatius. "Effect of non-absorbable antibiotic, rifaximin in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center randomized controlled study." National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology 8.6 (2018), 867-871. Print. doi:10.5455/njppp.2018.8.1246807022018

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

N, B., M, . R., K, . P. V. & Ignatius, . J. X. (2018) Effect of non-absorbable antibiotic, rifaximin in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A single-center randomized controlled study. National Journal of Physiology, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 8 (6), 867-871. doi:10.5455/njppp.2018.8.1246807022018

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