Rifaximin pharmacology and clinical implications.

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Ojetti V, Lauritano EC, Barbaro F, Migneco A, Ainora ME, Fontana L, Gabrielli M, Gasbarrini A

Rifaximin pharmacology and clinical implications.

Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2009 Jun;5(6):675-82. doi: 10.1517/17425250902973695.

PubMed ID

19442033 [ View in PubMed

]

Abstract

Rifaximin is a semisynthetic, rifamycin-based non-systemic antibiotic, with a low gastrointestinal absorption and a good antibacterial activity. The antibacterial action covers Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, both aerobes and anaerobes. Its antimicrobial action is based on its property to bind to the beta-subunit of bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibiting, thereby, the bacterial RNA synthesis. Rifaximin contributes to restore gut microflora imbalance, becoming an important therapeutic agent in several organic and functional gastrointestinal diseases such as hepatic encephalopathy, small intestine bacterial overgrowth, inflammatory bowel disease and colonic diverticular disease. This antibiotic has the advantage of low microbial resistance and few systemic adverse events and is safe in all patient populations, including young children.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs

Rifaximin

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Rifaximin	DNA-directed RNA polymerase subunit beta	Protein	Escherichia coli (strain K12)	Yes	Inhibitor	Details