Rifaximin: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know

When you’re dealing with a stubborn stomach bug—especially after travel or food poisoning—Rifaximin, a non-absorbable antibiotic that stays mostly in the gut. Also known as Xifaxan, it’s one of the few antibiotics designed to act right where you need it: inside your intestines. Unlike most antibiotics that flood your bloodstream, Rifaximin doesn’t get absorbed much. That means it hits the bad bacteria in your gut without wrecking the rest of your body. This is why doctors turn to it for infections like traveler’s diarrhea, IBS with diarrhea, and even hepatic encephalopathy—without triggering the same side effects as stronger drugs.

It’s not just about killing bacteria. Rifaximin works by targeting the *type* of bacteria causing trouble, especially those that overgrow or produce toxins. It’s been studied in over 10,000 patients and shown to reduce bloating, cramps, and loose stools in people with IBS-D. It’s also used off-label for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), where other antibiotics fail because they’re absorbed too quickly. What makes Rifaximin stand out? It doesn’t disrupt your good gut bacteria the way amoxicillin or ciprofloxacin do. That’s why you’ll find it in posts about antibiotic treatment, a category of drugs used to fight bacterial infections, and why it’s often compared to gut health, the balance of microorganisms in the digestive tract strategies like probiotics and diet changes.

People use Rifaximin when they need precision, not brute force. It’s not for every infection—no, you won’t use it for a sore throat or a urinary tract infection. But if your symptoms are tied to your digestive system, and you’ve tried other things without success, it might be the right fit. The posts below cover real cases: how it’s prescribed, what side effects to watch for, how it stacks up against other gut-targeted meds, and even how it’s used in combination with other therapies. You’ll also find advice on where to safely get it, how to tell if it’s working, and why some people need repeat courses. Whether you’re dealing with post-travel sickness, chronic bloating, or a doctor’s recommendation, this collection gives you the straight facts—not hype, not fluff, just what matters for your health.