Home » About Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) » How Are HE and Liver Disease Connected?

How are HE and liver disease connected?

The liver filters everything that enters the body, such as food, drinks, and medicine. It does this after the intestines break down what has passed through the stomach into basic substances. It then separates the substances that are toxins from the ones that are useful. The body gets rid of the toxins, while the liver sends the nutrients and vitamins into the bloodstream for the body to use.

If your liver is damaged, it can't filter out everything it's supposed to, and toxins can build up in the bloodstream. If they build up enough, they can get into the brain. The buildup of these toxins in the brain can lead to hepatic encephalopathy (HE).

Explore the symptoms and stages of HE

Learn more about taking Xifaxan 550 mg

Discover how Xifaxan 550 mg can help adults living with overt HE

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

XIFAXAN 550 mg is indicated for reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in patients ≥18 years of age. In the trials of XIFAXAN for HE, 91% of the patients were using lactulose concomitantly. XIFAXAN has not been studied in patients with MELD scores >25, and only 8.6% of patients in the controlled trial had MELD scores over 19. There is increased systemic exposure in patients with more severe hepatic dysfunction. Therefore, caution should be exercised when administering XIFAXAN to patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C).

XIFAXAN is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to rifaximin, any of the rifamycin antimicrobial agents, or any of the components in XIFAXAN. Hypersensitivity reactions have included exfoliative dermatitis, angioneurotic edema, and anaphylaxis.

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including XIFAXAN, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon which may lead to overgrowth of C. difficile. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued.

The most common adverse reactions occurring in >8% of patients in the clinical study were edema peripheral (15%), nausea (14%), dizziness (13%), fatigue (12%), ascites (11%), muscle spasms (9%), pruritus (9%), and abdominal pain (9%).

Xifaxan550 is not available for sale outside the U.S.
Xifaxan550 is licensed by Alfa Wassermann S.p.A. to Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Complete Prescribing Information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch/ or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For product information, adverse event reports, and product complaint reports, please contact:
Salix Product Information Call Center
Phone: 1-800-508-0024
Fax: 1-510-595-8183
E-mail: Salix@medcomsol.com