While adverse reactions to rifaximin are uncommon, some patients who take the drug may experience side effects which include:
-nausea
-stomach pain
-dizziness
-excessive tiredness
-headache
-muscle tightening
-joint pain
This is not a complete list of adverse effects – though these are among the most common. Seek medical attention right away if you experience symptoms such as watery or bloody diarrhea, hives, rashes, itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, or hoarseness while taking rifaximin.
As with all prescription medication, be sure to inform the prescribing doctor about any medical conditions you have been previously diagnosed with, as well as any medication/ supplements you are currently taking before starting treatment with rifaximin.
Rifaximin can interact with other forms of medication and substances, causing potentially serious side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any other rifamycin antibiotics, such as rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rifater, Rimactane) or rifapentine (Priftin). You should also be sure to mention any other antibiotics you are taking, including cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Restasis, Sandimmune), as your doctor may have to change the doses of your medications or explore different treatment options.
In addition, let your doctor know if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant before starting treatment with this medication.