Rifaximin

The addition of simvastatin plus rifaximin to standard therapy did not improve outcomes among patients with decompensated cirrhosis who were at high risk for clinical complications, according to a study published in JAMA.

Fecal microbiota transplant, regardless of dose or route, was safe and associated with reduced hepatic encephalopathy recurrence among patients with cirrhosis receiving lactulose and rifaximin, according to a study in Journal of Hepatology.

CMS has selected 15 new drugs for the next round of Medicare Part D price negotiations, according to a press release from HHS.

PHILADELPHIA — Rifaximin monotherapy reduced episode recurrence and “may confer” a survival benefit compared with lactulose monotherapy among patients with cirrhosis and a history of overt hepatic encephalopathy, according to a presenter.

Although rifaximin was well-tolerated in patients with severe cirrhosis and ascites, it did not improve transplant-free survival and cirrhosis-related complications and “cannot be recommended” as antibiotic prophylaxis, a researcher noted.

Researchers reported low rifaximin treatment retention among patients with hepatic encephalopathy, with 30-day out-of-pocket treatment costs in excess of $150 among the factors associated with poor adherence.

Simvastatin plus rifaximin did not reduce progression to acute-on-chronic liver failure, complications from cirrhosis or risk for death in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, according to data presented at EASL Congress.

A U.S. District Court judge in Delaware has denied Norwich Pharmaceuticals’ motion to modify the court’s final judgment, which blocks the FDA from approving their 550 mg rifaximin generic until Oct. 2, 2029.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Daily treatment with Xifaxan over 2 weeks improved stool consistency and fecal urgency in adults with irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea, according to a poster at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Treatment for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea should target bloating in addition to diarrhea and abdominal pain or discomfort, according to data presented at the ACG Annual Scientific Meeting.