Tag: Gut liver axis

According to a study published in the *New England Journal of Medicine*, rifaximin significantly reduced the risk of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence over a six-month period. This powerful finding helps explain why is rifaximin given for cirrhosis, a condition where gut bacteria can produce harmful neurotoxins.

In a pivotal clinical trial, Xifaxan was shown to reduce the risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence by 58% over a six-month period. This makes understanding **what is Xifaxan used for in cirrhosis** crucial for those managing the complications of liver disease, particularly the neurological effects of HE.

An estimated 30-40% of patients with cirrhosis will eventually develop overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a condition often managed with specific medication. This is the primary reason why liver patients get rifaximin, an oral antibiotic that targets the root cause of the neurological symptoms by modulating the gut microbiome.

Up to 80% of patients with liver cirrhosis suffer from minimal hepatic encephalopathy, a brain condition caused by high blood ammonia levels. Rifaximin, a unique non-absorbable antibiotic, helps reduce these ammonia levels by working directly within the gut.

Recent research using animal models shows that statin therapy can drive a profound remodeling of the gut microbiota. Understanding precisely how do statins affect the gut microbiome is critical, as these interactions can influence a drug's effectiveness, side effects, and overall metabolic health.