Abstract
Rifaximin is a poorly absorbed rifamycin drug with unique pharmacokinetic properties: bile solubility making it highly active against pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacterial flora in the bile-rich small bowel and low water solubility making it active only against highly susceptible bacteria, primarily anaerobes, in the aqueous colon. The drug has anti-inflammatory gut mucosal stabilization properties that are important to its sustained effects in non-infectious diseases. Rifaximin is used chronically or recurrently for hepatic encephalopathy and diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Monitoring of long-term use of rifaximin for development of resistance and then determining whether developed resistance is associated with reduced efficacy are needed. Studies of changes of intestinal flora during therapy and the health implications of these changes are also needed.
Keywords: Bile salts, Crohn’s disease, hepatic encephalopathy, inflammatory bowel disease, Rifaximin.
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:Rifaximin: An Antibiotic with Important Biologic Effects
Volume: 16 Issue: 3
Author(s): H.L. DuPont
Affiliation:
Keywords: Bile salts, Crohn’s disease, hepatic encephalopathy, inflammatory bowel disease, Rifaximin.
Abstract: Rifaximin is a poorly absorbed rifamycin drug with unique pharmacokinetic properties: bile solubility making it highly active against pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacterial flora in the bile-rich small bowel and low water solubility making it active only against highly susceptible bacteria, primarily anaerobes, in the aqueous colon. The drug has anti-inflammatory gut mucosal stabilization properties that are important to its sustained effects in non-infectious diseases. Rifaximin is used chronically or recurrently for hepatic encephalopathy and diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Monitoring of long-term use of rifaximin for development of resistance and then determining whether developed resistance is associated with reduced efficacy are needed. Studies of changes of intestinal flora during therapy and the health implications of these changes are also needed.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
DuPont H.L., Rifaximin: An Antibiotic with Important Biologic Effects, Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry 2016; 16 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557515666150722110201
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389557515666150722110201 |
Print ISSN 1389-5575 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5607 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Bioprospecting of Natural Products as Sources of New Multitarget Therapies
According to the Convention on Biological Diversity, bioprospecting is the exploration of biodiversity and indigenous knowledge to develop commercially valuable products for pharmaceutical and other applications. Bioprospecting involves searching for useful organic compounds in plants, fungi, marine organisms, and microorganisms. Natural products traditionally constituted the primary source of more than ...read more
Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry
The thematic issue "Computational Frontiers in Medicinal Chemistry" provides a robust platform for delving into state-of-the-art computational methodologies and technologies that significantly propel advancements in medicinal chemistry. This edition seeks to amalgamate top-tier reviews spotlighting the latest trends and breakthroughs in the fusion of computational approaches, including artificial intelligence (AI) ...read more
Drugs and mitochondria
Mitochondria play a central role in the life and death of cells. They are not merely the center for energy metabolism but are also the headquarters for different catabolic and anabolic processes, calcium fluxes, and various signaling pathways. Mitochondria maintain homeostasis in the cell by interacting with reactive oxygen-nitrogen species ...read more
Mitochondria as a Therapeutic Target in Metabolic Disorders
Mitochondria are the primary site of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in mammalian cells. Moreover, these organelles are an important source of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in virtually any nucleated cell type. The modulation of a myriad of cellular signaling pathways depends on the mitochondrial physiology. Mitochondrial dysfunction is observed ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Neurovascular Mechanisms of Hypertension in Pregnancy
Current Neurovascular Research Lysophosphatidic Acid and Renal Fibrosis
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Mechanism and Development of Modern General Anesthetics
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Diabetes Mellitus
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Pathogenesis of Stroke-Like Episodes in MELAS: Analysis of Neurovascular Cellular Mechanisms
Current Neurovascular Research The Healing Effects of Spices in Chronic Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Impairment After Treatment with Anti-HIV Drugs: Clinical Implications
Current Pharmaceutical Design Educating Scientists in Translational and Entrepreneurial Medicine: Unmet Needs and Challenges
Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (Discontinued) Thyroid Dysfunction in Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Current Diabetes Reviews Algorithms and Criteria for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Patient Selection: Current Status and Future Trends
Current Pharmaceutical Design PUFA Supplements and Type 2 Diabetes in the Elderly
Current Pharmaceutical Design Evaluation and Management of Atrial Fibrillation
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Selective VEGFR Inhibitors for Anticancer Therapeutics in Clinical Use and Clinical Trials
Current Pharmaceutical Design Physiological Effect and Therapeutic Application of Alpha Lipoic Acid
Current Medicinal Chemistry Global Life-Long Health Benefits of Repression of Hypothalamic NPY System by Central Leptin Gene Therapy
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Can Imaging Techniques Identify Smoking-Related Cardiovascular Disease?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Diabetes and Nutritional Screening in Post-Bariatric Patients
Current Diabetes Reviews Recent Advances and Perspectives in the Silver-catalyzed Multi-component Reactions
Current Organic Chemistry Treatment and Response to Statins: Gender-related Differences
Current Medicinal Chemistry Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to Treat Substance Use Disorders and Compulsive Behavior
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets