Rifaximin, a non-absorbable rifamycin, for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy. A double-blind, randomised trial

SummaryThe aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of rifaximin, a non-absorbable intestinal antibiotic, in comparison to neomycin in the short- and long-term treatment of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Forty-nine patients with a definite diagnosis of cirrhosis were included in this double-blind, randomised, controlled trial. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: (1) rifaximin 400 mg three times daily: (2) neomycin 1 g three times daily. Both drugs were administrated orally as tablets during 14 consecutive days each month, for a period of six months.The neuropsychiatric signs and blood ammonia levels were examined before starting the treatment, and every 30 days, until the final assessment.In all patients a progressive and important reduction in HE grade was observed, and no statistically significant difference between the two treatments was detected.In both groups the disturbances in speech, memory, behaviour and mood, gait, asterixis, writing, and seri...