Non-absorbed Antibiotics for IBS
Abstract
A recent manuscript [1] described two multi-center, prospective double blind trials of the non-absorbed antibiotic rifaximin for nonconstipated irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This effort adds to the body of literature from other, smaller studies that have demonstrated clinical efficacy for IBS with rifaximin. Non-absorbed antibiotics have been endorsed by the American College of Gastroenterology IBS Task Force as potentially useful therapy for IBS [2]. Interest in this approach stems from the increasing recognition of enteric bacterial imbalances in some patients with IBS compared to non-IBS controls [3-4]. An early study of antibiotics for IBS involved 87 patients with IBS randomized to rifaximin 400 mg three times daily for 10 days or placebo. During the initial 2 weeks of therapy and the subsequent 10 weeks of follow-up rifaximin resulted in statistically significantly greater improvement in IBS symptoms than placebo [5]. The report by Pimentel et al. represents a significant advance in our knowledge and understanding of the effects of rifaximin for IBS.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 16, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA559010
Entities
People
- Brooks D. Cash
Organizations
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences