Xifaxan vs. Alinia

Xifaxan (rifaximin) and Alinia (nitazoxanide) are used to treat travelers' diarrhea from different causes.

Xifaxan is used to treat travelers' diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli).

Alinia is used to treat traveler's diarrhea caused by the protozoa Giardia lamblia, or the protozoa Cryptosporidium parvum.

Xifaxan and Alinia belong to different drug classes. Xifaxan is an antibiotic and Alinia is an antiprotozoal agent.

Side effects of Xifaxan and Alinia that are similar include nausea, vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, and headache.

Side effects of Xifaxan that are different from Alinia include constipation, bloating, gas, feeling like you need to urgently empty your bowel, feeling your bowel is not completely empty, dizziness, tired feeling, and swelling in your hands, feet, or torso.

Side effects of Alinia that are different from Xifaxan include diarrhea.

Xifaxan may interact with cyclosporine, ketoconazole, warfarin, antibiotics, antiviral medicines, and heart or blood pressure medicines.

Alinia may interact with other drugs.

Side effects of Xifaxan include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• bloating,
• gas,
• stomach pain,
• feeling like you need to urgently empty your bowel,
• feeling your bowel is not completely empty,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• tired feeling, or
• swelling in your hands, feet, or torso.

Tell your doctor if you develop serious side effects of Xifaxan including:

• persistent diarrhea,
• abdominal or stomach pain or cramping, or
• blood or mucus in your stool.

Common side effects of Alinia include:

• abdominal pain,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• vomiting, or
• headache.

Serious allergic reactions to Alinia are unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if you have rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.

Xifaxan (rifaximin) is an antibiotic indicated for the treatment of patients 12 years of age and older with travelers' diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli), and to lower the risk of worsened brain function, or hepatic encephalopathy, in adults with liver failure.

Alinia (nitazoxanide) is an antiprotozoal agent used to treat diarrhea in adults and children caused by the protozoa Giardia lamblia, or the protozoa Cryptosporidium parvum. These protozoa are sometimes the cause of travelers' diarrhea. Alinia is generally well tolerated when taken as directed.

Xifaxan may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Many drugs may affect the way that Alinia is metabolized in the body, leading to higher or lower than expected levels of the medication in the blood. Talk to your doctor before taking other prescription or over-the-counter medications including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products during treatment with Alinia. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using Alinia. It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Xifaxan (rifaximin) tablets for oral administration are film-coated and contain 200 or 550 mg of rifaximin. Usual dosage is 200 mg three times a day for three days for diarrhea and 550mg twice a day for 3 days for hepatic encephalopathy.

Doses of Alinia vary according to age. Alinia is taken every 12 hours with food for 3 days. For patients age 1-3 years, 5 mL of Alinia for Oral Suspension (100 mg); patients age 4-11 years, 10 mL of Alinia for Oral Suspension (200 mg); adults and children over 12 years, 1 Alinia Tablet (500 mg) or 25 mL of Alinia for Oral Suspension (500 mg).