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Suggest Treatment For Bloating, Constipation And Enterocutaneous Fistula

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Posted on Fri, 1 Jul 2022
Question: I have xifaxan but am a little afraid to start it. My doctor thinks I have bacteria overgrowth. My basic problems are enterocutaneous fistula. I am on ton nutrition and don't eat. I do take liquids. Right now my symptoms are bloating and constipation. I use fleet suppositories or milk of mag to get results. The results are liquids. It sounds like xifaxan is for people with diarrhea . So can it help me? Or could it increase the constipation? Thank you for your help.
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Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes if you have SIBO it can help and yes it could cause constipation also.
Stool should be tested for SIBO.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Rifaximin works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections and is usually used to treat a condition called Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). It is defined as the presence of excessive bacteria in the small intestine. SIBO is frequently implicated as the cause of chronic diarrhea and malabsorption. Stool test should be done initially before starting rifaxamin to look for bacterial overgrowth otherwise the drug may cause bloating and constipation.
Initially get a stool test for SIBO done if its positive then take rifaxamin.

Hope I was helpful.
Thanks.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
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Answered by
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Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2913 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Bloating, Constipation And Enterocutaneous Fistula

Brief Answer: Yes if you have SIBO it can help and yes it could cause constipation also. Stool should be tested for SIBO. Detailed Answer: Hello, Rifaximin works by stopping the growth of bacteria. This antibiotic treats only bacterial infections and is usually used to treat a condition called Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). It is defined as the presence of excessive bacteria in the small intestine. SIBO is frequently implicated as the cause of chronic diarrhea and malabsorption. Stool test should be done initially before starting rifaxamin to look for bacterial overgrowth otherwise the drug may cause bloating and constipation. Initially get a stool test for SIBO done if its positive then take rifaxamin. Hope I was helpful. Thanks.