In two separate studies Lichtenstein and colleagues looked at the use of Rifaximin (Xifaxan), an orally administered, gut-specific antibiotic, to relieve symptoms of SBBO and pouchitis.
In the first study, 14 patients with SBBO (10 had Crohn's disease, 2 had scleroderma, and 2 had a mixed connective tissue disorder) were given Rifaximin for 14 days. Thirteen of the 14 patients (9 of 10 patients with Crohn's disease, 2 of 2 with scleroderma, and 2 of 2 with mixed connective tissue disorders) responded to treatment. Of this group, 12 had complete remission of symptoms and one patient had a greater than 50% reduction of symptoms. All patients reported decreased fecal urgency and complete resolution of abdominal pain. No adverse events occurred in any of the patients.
In the second study, 10 patients suffering with pouchitis were given Rifaximin for 14 days. Of the nine patients who responded to treatment, eight experienced complete remission, while the remaining patient reported a greater than 50% improvement. As in the first study, all experienced decreased fecal urgency and complete resolution of abdominal pain, with no adverse events reported. Dr. Lichtenstein is hopeful that this will add, "… a useful, safe medication to the medical armamentarium of treatment of patients with potentially debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms."
Digestive Disease Week (DDW) is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers, and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), DDW takes place May 14-19, 2005, in Chicago. The meeting showcases approximately 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine, and technology. Neither Dr. Lichtenstein nor any of his colleagues has any financial interest in Rifaximin or Salix Pharmaceuticals
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