Caregiver Corner

icon spot tab See Bellamy's
Story
icon spot tab See Bellamy's Story Sign Up for Updates
In this section:

Support for caregivers

Caring for someone with overt HE (hepatic encephalopathy) can be difficult. The physical and mental symptoms are not always easy to live with, but the information and resources listed below may help.

Track their symptoms

By paying close attention to the mental and physical symptoms, you may be able to alert your loved one’s doctor before things get worse. Even if they are already diagnosed, writing down any possible symptoms they may be experiencing can help guide the discussion at the next doctor’s appointment.

Even if your loved one is taken to the hospital for an overt HE episode, tracking their symptoms is important. Your loved one’s other doctors, including their primary care doctor, their hepatologist, or their gastroenterologist, may be able to help manage overt HE as long as you keep them informed.

man & women man & women

Symptoms of overt HE can include:

Mental

  • mental-icon

  • Lack of energy or interest

    Confusion

    Not knowing where you are or where you’re going

    Inappropriate behavior

    Severe personality changes

Physical

  • mental-icon

  • Sleepiness or change in sleep patterns

    Worsening of handwriting

    Loss of small hand movements

    Tremors or shaking of hands or arms

    Breath with a musty or sweet odor

Downloadable resources

OHE Symptoms Checklist PDF OHE Symptoms Checklist PDF

HE Symptom Checklist

Download this easy-to-use checklist to help identify the signs of an HE episode and talk to your loved one’s doctor about any mental or physical symptoms you’ve noticed.

DOWNLOAD
XIFAXAN OHE Living Kit Flashcard XIFAXAN OHE Living Kit Flashcard

XIFAXAN OHE Living Kit Flashcard

If your loved one has been prescribed XIFAXAN, this is the place to start. This flashcard gives a brief overview about managing overt HE with XIFAXAN, including dosing and savings program details.

DOWNLOAD

“Back then, options were limited. Today, there are things that can help manage this disease.”

— Bellamy Young | Actor and Caregiver

Help them create a management plan

Proper medical care and lifestyle changes can help manage your loved one’s overt HE. Managing overt HE may require medical care, lifestyle changes, and a whole team of different doctors.

Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Food

Help your loved one follow diet changes and other recommendations made by their healthcare provider

Food

Make sure your loved one is able to pick up their medicine; have it delivered or arrange to have it mailed so they don’t miss taking their medicine as prescribed by their doctor

Food

Monitor to make sure your loved one is taking his or her medicine the way the doctor recommends

Food

Monitor your loved one to help avoid greater harm, including the risk of falling

Food

Talk about any concerns you have with a doctor, nurse, or other members of your loved one’s healthcare team

glass glass

Find the help you need to navigate through OHE.

VIEW RESOURCES & SUPPORT
Copay Card Copay Card

If you’ve been prescribed XIFAXAN, get all the details about the Instant Copay Savings Card.

DOWNLOAD OR ACTIVATE NOW

HE, hepatic encephalopathy; OHE, overt hepatic encephalopathy.

See More

INDICATIONS

XIFAXAN® (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets are indicated for the reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in adults and for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in adults.

XIFAXAN® (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets are indicated for the reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • XIFAXAN is not for everyone. Do not take XIFAXAN if you have a known hypersensitivity to rifaximin, any of the rifamycin antimicrobial agents, or any of the components in XIFAXAN.
  • If you take antibiotics, like XIFAXAN, there is a chance you could experience diarrhea caused by an overgrowth of bacteria (C. difficile). This can cause symptoms ranging in severity from mild diarrhea to life-threatening colitis. Contact your healthcare provider if your diarrhea does not improve or worsens.
  • XIFAXAN is not for everyone. Do not take XIFAXAN if you have a known hypersensitivity to rifaximin, any of the rifamycin antimicrobial agents, or any of the components in XIFAXAN.
See Less

INDICATIONS

XIFAXAN® (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets are indicated for the reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in adults and for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) in adults.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • XIFAXAN is not for everyone. Do not take XIFAXAN if you have a known hypersensitivity to rifaximin, any of the rifamycin antimicrobial agents, or any of the components in XIFAXAN.
  • If you take antibiotics, like XIFAXAN, there is a chance you could experience diarrhea caused by an overgrowth of bacteria (C. difficile). This can cause symptoms ranging in severity from mild diarrhea to life-threatening colitis. Contact your healthcare provider if your diarrhea does not improve or worsens.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider before taking XIFAXAN if you have severe hepatic (liver) impairment, as this may cause increased effects of the medicine.
  • Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking drugs called P-glycoprotein and/or OATPs inhibitors (such as cyclosporine) because using these drugs with XIFAXAN may lead to an increase in the amount of XIFAXAN absorbed by your body.
  • In clinical studies, the most common side effects for XIFAXAN were:
    • - HE: Peripheral edema (swelling, usually in the ankles or lower limbs), constipation, nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), fatigue (feeling tired), insomnia (trouble sleeping), ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdomen), dizziness, urinary tract infection, anemia (low red blood cell levels), and itching
    • - IBS-D: Nausea (feeling sick to your stomach) and an increase in liver enzymes
  • XIFAXAN may affect warfarin activity when taken together. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking warfarin because the dose of warfarin may need to be adjusted to maintain proper blood-thinning effect.
  • If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing, talk to your healthcare provider before taking XIFAXAN because XIFAXAN may cause harm to an unborn baby or nursing infant.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For product information, adverse event reports, and product complaint reports, please contact:

Salix Product Information Call Center
Phone: 1-800-321-4576
Fax: 1-510-595-8183
Salix Product Information Call Center
Phone: 1-800-321-4576
Fax: 1-510-595-8183

Please click here for full Prescribing Information.

XIF.0213.USA.23V2.0