Is there a risk that rifaximin usage can increase the likelihood of Clostridium difficile enterocolitis?

Rifaximin is an antibiotic used to treat various gastrointestinal infections, including traveler’s diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is generally considered to be a safe and well-tolerated medication, but like all medications, it can have potential side effects.nnThere have been rare reports of rifaximin use being associated with the development of clostridial enterocolitis, which is a serious infection of the intestine caused by certain types of bacteria, including Clostridium difficile. Clostridial enterocolitis can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and dehydration and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.nnIt is also important to note that rifaximin is increasingly being used to treat Clostridium difficile enterocolitis.