Efficacy of rifaximin in the treatment of symptomatic diverticular disease of the colon

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1995 Feb;9(1):33-9


Papi C, Ciaco A, Koch M, Capurso L.

Department of Digestive Diseases & Nutrition, Ospedale S. Filippo Neri, Rome, Italy.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In a recent open trial we have shown the efficacy of long term intermittent administration of a poorly absorbable antibiotic (rifaximin) in obtaining symptomatic relief in uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon. The aim of this double-blind placebo-controlled trial was to test our previous observations. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-eight outpatients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease were treated with fibre supplementation (glucomannan 2 g/day) plus rifaximin 400 mg b.d. for 7 days every month (84 patients), or with glucomannan 2 g/day plus placebo two tablets b.d. for 7 days every month (84 patients). Clinical evaluation was performed at admission and at three-month intervals for 12 months. RESULTS: After 12 months, 68.9% of the patients treated with rifaximin were symptom-free or mildly symptomatic, compared to 39.5% in the placebo group (P = 0.001). Symptoms such as bloating and abdominal pain or discomfort were primarily affected by antibiotic treatment when compared with placebo (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Rifaximin appears to be of some advantage in obtaining symptomatic relief in diverticular disease of the colon when compared with fibre supplementation alone.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Multicenter Study
Randomized Controlled Trial