Resources & Support
- In this section:
- Instant Copay Savings Card
- Downloadable Resources
- Videos
- FAQs
- In this section:
- Instant Copay Savings Card
- Downloadable Resources
- Videos
- FAQs
Support for patients and caregivers
Whether you’re an adult patient who’s been diagnosed with overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) or a caregiver to a loved one who’s been diagnosed with overt HE, these resources are available to help you with a variety of needs.
Save on your XIFAXAN prescription
The XIFAXAN Instant Copay Savings Card may help eligible,* commercially insured patients with coverage for XIFAXAN pay as little as $0.
The XIFAXAN Instant Copay Savings Card can be activated by calling 1-866-XIFAXAN (1-866-943-2926) and selecting option 1, or by clicking the link below.
DOWNLOAD OR ACTIVATE NOW arrow_outward*Patient is not eligible if he/she participates in or seeks reimbursement or submits a claim for reimbursement to any federal or state healthcare program with prescription drug coverage, such as Medicaid, Medicare, Medigap, VA, DOD, TRICARE, or any similar federal or state healthcare program (each a Government Program), or where prohibited by law. Patient must be enrolled in, and must seek reimbursement from or submit a claim for reimbursement to, a commercial insurance plan. Offer excludes full cash-paying patients. Maximum benefits and other restrictions apply. Visit https://xifaxan.copaysavingsprogram.com/ or call 1-866-XIFAXAN for full eligibility criteria, terms and conditions.
Downloadable resources
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.
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.
Videos
Bellamy Young's story about her father who had OHE
Bellamy Young's Xifaxan commercial
FAQs
ABOUT HE
Having liver disease over a long period of time may damage the liver and eventually lead to its soft, healthy tissue being replaced by hard scar tissue. This condition is called cirrhosis.
When your liver is damaged, it cannot filter toxins out of the blood the way that a healthy liver can. These toxins can build up and travel through your body until they reach your brain. It’s the buildup of these toxins in your brain that can lead to the symptoms of HE.
Having liver disease over a long period of time may damage the liver and eventually lead to its soft, healthy tissue being replaced by hard scar tissue. This condition is called cirrhosis.
When your liver is damaged, it cannot filter toxins out of the blood the way that a healthy liver can. These toxins can build up and travel through your body until they reach your brain. It’s the buildup of these toxins in your brain that can lead to the symptoms of HE.
The symptoms of HE can be mental and physical and can vary in degree:
- “Covert” HE symptoms can go unnoticed, even by a doctor
- “Overt” HE symptoms are more noticeable to other people
Symptoms of overt HE can include:
Mental
- Lack of energy or interest
- Confusion
- Not knowing where you are or where you’re going
- Inappropriate behavior
- Severe personality change
Physical
- 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
These symptoms may also be found in older people with Alzheimer’s or dementia, but when they occur in people with liver disease, it may be HE.
If you have some form of liver disease and you start to develop any of these symptoms, it is important that you talk about them with your doctor.
The symptoms of HE can be mental and physical and can vary in degree:
- “Covert” HE symptoms can go unnoticed, even by a doctor
- “Overt” HE symptoms are more noticeable to other people
Symptoms of overt HE can include:
Mental
- Lack of energy or interest
- Confusion
- Not knowing where you are or where you’re going
- Inappropriate behavior
- Severe personality change
Physical
- 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
These symptoms may also be found in older people with Alzheimer’s or dementia, but when they occur in people with liver disease, it may be HE.
If you have some form of liver disease and you start to develop any of these symptoms, it is important that you talk about them with your doctor.
When HE symptoms become more severe, the condition is called “overt HE.” If you have overt HE, you may have experienced what is called an “episode” of overt HE.
During an episode, your symptoms can become more obvious. There may be a change in your behavior or personality. You may not understand what is happening, and people around you may notice that you are acting strangely.
Many episodes of overt HE end at the hospital, where you may be taken by a friend or loved one for medical attention.
If you have experienced an episode of overt HE, you also have a higher risk of having another overt HE episode in the future. But there are ways to help reduce the risk of additional overt HE episodes.
When HE symptoms become more severe, the condition is called “overt HE.” If you have overt HE, you may have experienced what is called an “episode” of overt HE.
During an episode, your symptoms can become more obvious. There may be a change in your behavior or personality. You may not understand what is happening, and people around you may notice that you are acting strangely.
Many episodes of overt HE end at the hospital, where you may be taken by a friend or loved one for medical attention.
If you have experienced an episode of overt HE, you also have a higher risk of having another overt HE episode in the future. But there are ways to help reduce the risk of additional overt HE episodes.
Helping care for someone with overt HE can be difficult. You may feel frightened, frustrated, or sad, but you are not alone. Your loved one’s doctors can help develop a plan to manage HE, and you can help play a vital role. If you’re just starting out, here are 3 suggestions:
1. Learn more about overt HE and how it might affect your loved one
2. Make a plan to manage overt HE with your loved one and their doctors
3. Support your loved one and find ways to care for yourself, too
Helping care for someone with overt HE can be difficult. You may feel frightened, frustrated, or sad, but you are not alone. Your loved one’s doctors can help develop a plan to manage HE, and you can help play a vital role. If you’re just starting out, here are 3 suggestions:
1. Learn more about overt HE and how it might affect your loved one
2. Make a plan to manage overt HE with your loved one and their doctors
3. Support your loved one and find ways to care for yourself, too
Some of the most commonly used medicines are lactulose and XIFAXAN.
Lactulose is an artificial sugar. It comes as a very sweet liquid that is taken by mouth. Lactulose works by helping to cause more bowel movements. This helps to flush out toxins that may travel through your blood to your brain.
XIFAXAN is an antibiotic that does not affect the entire body but slows bacteria growth in the gut. These bacteria are believed to be linked to symptoms of overt HE. XIFAXAN is the only FDA-approved medicine indicated for the reduction in risk of overt HE recurrence in adults.
Expert guidelines recommend using both lactulose and XIFAXAN together to help reduce the risk of overt HE recurrence.
Talk to your doctor before taking XIFAXAN if you have severe hepatic (liver) impairment, as this may cause increased effects of the medicine.
Some of the most commonly used medicines are lactulose and XIFAXAN.
Lactulose is an artificial sugar. It comes as a very sweet liquid that is taken by mouth. Lactulose works by helping to cause more bowel movements. This helps to flush out toxins that may travel through your blood to your brain.
XIFAXAN is an antibiotic that does not affect the entire body but slows bacteria growth in the gut. These bacteria are believed to be linked to symptoms of overt HE. XIFAXAN is the only FDA-approved medicine indicated for the reduction in risk of overt HE recurrence in adults.
Expert guidelines recommend using both lactulose and XIFAXAN together to help reduce the risk of overt HE recurrence.
Talk to your doctor before taking XIFAXAN if you have severe hepatic (liver) impairment, as this may cause increased effects of the medicine.
There is no known medicine that can cure HE. While there are no medicines that can completely prevent an overt HE episode, XIFAXAN is a medicine that can help reduce the risk of additional episodes of overt HE.
Read all the ways XIFAXAN was shown to help adults with overt HE.
There is no known medicine that can cure HE. While there are no medicines that can completely prevent an overt HE episode, XIFAXAN is a medicine that can help reduce the risk of additional episodes of overt HE.
Read all the ways XIFAXAN was shown to help adults with overt HE.
Because overt HE involves your liver, your gut, and your overall health, you can talk to several doctors about how to manage overt HE.
- Your regular doctor (called your primary care physician) may be able to help you create a plan to manage overt HE
- You may be seeing a doctor for your liver disease (often a hepatologist) or a doctor who focuses on the digestive system (called a gastroenterologist). Both of these doctors may be able to help you manage your overt HE
The most important thing to remember is that it will take teamwork among you, your loved ones, and your doctors to help manage HE. Be honest with your doctors about your symptoms, experiences, and challenges you may be having.
Because overt HE involves your liver, your gut, and your overall health, you can talk to several doctors about how to manage overt HE.
- Your regular doctor (called your primary care physician) may be able to help you create a plan to manage overt HE
- You may be seeing a doctor for your liver disease (often a hepatologist) or a doctor who focuses on the digestive system (called a gastroenterologist). Both of these doctors may be able to help you manage your overt HE
The most important thing to remember is that it will take teamwork among you, your loved ones, and your doctors to help manage HE. Be honest with your doctors about your symptoms, experiences, and challenges you may be having.
ABOUT XIFAXAN
XIFAXAN was studied to see how it impacted adults with overt HE. In this study of 299 adults with a recent history of overt HE, those who took XIFAXAN had a lower risk of having another overt HE episode compared to those who did not take XIFAXAN. People taking XIFAXAN also had a lower risk of having an HE-related hospitalization compared to those who did not take XIFAXAN. 91% of patients in the study were also on lactulose at the same time.
Click here to look at the data.
The most common side effects reported by patients taking XIFAXAN (occurring in at least 10% of them and at a higher rate than in patients taking placebo) were:
- Peripheral edema (swelling, usually in the ankles or lower legs)
- Nausea (feeling sick to one’s stomach)
- Dizziness
- Fatigue (feeling tired)
- Ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdomen)
Please see additional
Important Safety Information below and click here for full Prescribing Information.
XIFAXAN was studied to see how it impacted adults with overt HE. In this study of 299 adults with a recent history of overt HE, those who took XIFAXAN had a lower risk of having another overt HE episode compared to those who did not take XIFAXAN. People taking XIFAXAN also had a lower risk of having an HE-related hospitalization compared to those who did not take XIFAXAN. 91% of patients in the study were also on lactulose at the same time.
Click here to look at the data.
The most common side effects reported by patients taking XIFAXAN (occurring in at least 10% of them and at a higher rate than in patients taking placebo) were:
- Peripheral edema (swelling, usually in the ankles or lower legs)
- Nausea (feeling sick to one’s stomach)
- Dizziness
- Fatigue (feeling tired)
- Ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdomen)
Please see additional
Important Safety Information below and click here for full Prescribing Information.
XIFAXAN is an antibiotic that does not affect the entire body but slows bacteria growth in the gut. These bacteria are believed to be linked to symptoms of overt HE.
Talk to your doctor before taking XIFAXAN if you have severe hepatic (liver) impairment, as this may cause increased effects of the medicine.
XIFAXAN is an antibiotic that does not affect the entire body but slows bacteria growth in the gut. These bacteria are believed to be linked to symptoms of overt HE.
Talk to your doctor before taking XIFAXAN if you have severe hepatic (liver) impairment, as this may cause increased effects of the medicine.
Your doctor may already have prescribed medicine as part of your plan to manage overt HE, but you should ask how you can help reduce your risk for additional overt HE episodes with XIFAXAN.
There are guidelines that advise doctors on how to create a plan based on the latest evidence from medical studies. XIFAXAN is recommended in those guidelines for certain patients, so if your management plan doesn’t include XIFAXAN, ask your doctor if you are doing all you can to help reduce your risk.
Remember, keep a positive attitude and be sure to see your doctors regularly. Be honest with your doctors about your symptoms, experiences, and challenges you may be having. Write down any symptoms you may have noticed and bring the list to your next appointment. Ask questions if you do not understand something. They can help explain things and make you feel more prepared for the future.
Your doctor may already have prescribed medicine as part of your plan to manage overt HE, but you should ask how you can help reduce your risk for additional overt HE episodes with XIFAXAN.
There are guidelines that advise doctors on how to create a plan based on the latest evidence from medical studies. XIFAXAN is recommended in those guidelines for certain patients, so if your management plan doesn’t include XIFAXAN, ask your doctor if you are doing all you can to help reduce your risk.
Remember, keep a positive attitude and be sure to see your doctors regularly. Be honest with your doctors about your symptoms, experiences, and challenges you may be having. Write down any symptoms you may have noticed and bring the list to your next appointment. Ask questions if you do not understand something. They can help explain things and make you feel more prepared for the future.
Yes, the most common side effects reported by patients taking XIFAXAN (occurring in at least 10% of them and at a higher rate than in patients taking placebo) were:
- Peripheral edema (swelling, usually in the ankles or lower legs)
- Nausea (feeling sick to one’s stomach)
- Dizziness
- Fatigue (feeling tired)
- Ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdomen)
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 doctor if your diarrhea does not improve or worsens.
These are not all of the possible side effects of XIFAXAN. Call your doctor for medical advice about XIFAXAN side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see additional Important Safety Information below.
Yes, the most common side effects reported by patients taking XIFAXAN (occurring in at least 10% of them and at a higher rate than in patients taking placebo) were:
- Peripheral edema (swelling, usually in the ankles or lower legs)
- Nausea (feeling sick to one’s stomach)
- Dizziness
- Fatigue (feeling tired)
- Ascites (a buildup of fluid in the abdomen)
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 doctor if your diarrhea does not improve or worsens.
These are not all of the possible side effects of XIFAXAN. Call your doctor for medical advice about XIFAXAN side effects.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit http://www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see additional Important Safety Information below.
TAKING XIFAXAN
If you are prescribed XIFAXAN, the recommended dose is 1 tablet of XIFAXAN by mouth 2 times a day (1 in the morning and 1 at night) to help reduce the risk of additional overt HE episodes. You can take XIFAXAN with or without food.
You should keep taking XIFAXAN for as long as your doctor recommends. Continuing to take your medicine is an important part of any plan to manage overt HE.
If you are prescribed XIFAXAN, the recommended dose is 1 tablet of XIFAXAN by mouth 2 times a day (1 in the morning and 1 at night) to help reduce the risk of additional overt HE episodes. You can take XIFAXAN with or without food.
You should keep taking XIFAXAN for as long as your doctor recommends. Continuing to take your medicine is an important part of any plan to manage overt HE.
If you miss a dose, please contact your doctor.
If you miss a dose, please contact your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you are taking drugs called P-glycoprotein and/or OATPs inhibitors (such as cyclosporine), because using these drugs while taking XIFAXAN may lead to an increase in the amount of XIFAXAN absorbed by your body.
XIFAXAN may affect warfarin activity when taken together. Tell your doctor if you are taking warfarin because the dose of warfarin may need to be adjusted to maintain proper blood-thinning effect.
Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins/supplements, or herbal medicines.
Tell your doctor if you are taking drugs called P-glycoprotein and/or OATPs inhibitors (such as cyclosporine), because using these drugs while taking XIFAXAN may lead to an increase in the amount of XIFAXAN absorbed by your body.
XIFAXAN may affect warfarin activity when taken together. Tell your doctor if you are taking warfarin because the dose of warfarin may need to be adjusted to maintain proper blood-thinning effect.
Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins/supplements, or herbal medicines.
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*Patient is not eligible to use our Navigator services if he/she participates in or seeks reimbursement, or submits a claim for reimbursement to any federal or state healthcare program with prescription drug coverage.
HE, hepatic encephalopathy; OHE, overt hepatic encephalopathy.
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.
XIF.0212.USA.23V4.0