Xifaxan

<p>From: Reviving the Broken Marionette: Treatments for CFS/ME and Fibromyalgia

rifaximin (Xifaxan, Normix, Zaxine, Spiraxin, Rifacol)

Rifaximin is used for gastrointestinal infections, especially traveler’s diarrhea. It is not absorbed into the body. It has been used to treat IBS based on the theory that the condition is caused by small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). A paper reviewing several small studies about this use concluded that it seems to be effective in some cases.36

In one study 96 out of 123 fibromyalgia patients were diagnosed as suffering from SIBO.37 After treatment with antibiotics, improvement was reported not only in gastrointestinal symptoms, but in joint pain and fatigue as well. A patent has been filed titled “Method of diagnosing fibromyalgia caused by small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.”38 This treatment has reportedly greatly improved some cases of RLS39 and interstitial cystitis40 that have been purportedly caused by SIBO.

Rifaximin is usually free of side effects, because of the lack of systemic absorption. It can rarely cause allergic reactions. Because of its limited spectrum of action, it is not likely to cause fungal infections.

Rifaximin is available in the United States and some other, mostly European countries, but not in the United Kingdom, Canada or Australia. It is somewhat expensive, especially in the U.S.</p>