Is Xifaxan (Rifaximin) available in Canada
- Thread starter Crohnie
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I dont know if its available in Canada or not, but there is now way I could of afforded here in the states if I would of gone to my local pharmacy. I did however try one of those online pharmacies from overseas and didn't have any problems whatsoever getting my hands on some and at a very decent price.
I ordered mine from alldaychemist.com and even though they only have the 200mg tablets I got a 3 month supply, taking them 2 tabs po bid, for right around $100. I used my CC for the order and havn't noticed anything sketchy on that account so it appears that it is secure. It will take about 2 to 3 weeks to get though because of overseas shipping and customs. Hope that helps you out.
I ordered mine from alldaychemist.com and even though they only have the 200mg tablets I got a 3 month supply, taking them 2 tabs po bid, for right around $100. I used my CC for the order and havn't noticed anything sketchy on that account so it appears that it is secure. It will take about 2 to 3 weeks to get though because of overseas shipping and customs. Hope that helps you out.
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Did the Rifaximin help?
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I got mine from alldaychemist as well. Super cheap. It took away bloating immediately but i had other complications so i stopped after 4 days. I went on Cipro/Flagyl for ten days 500mg x2day. I have been free of any crohn's symptoms since. I've been eating whatever i want and only going to the bathroom in the morning. Nice solid poo. Go figure. If i would have taken my GI's advice and taken the Humira i would probably be dead right now considering my body's reaction to Imuran: Softball sized abscesses and about 20 extra visits to the doctor and a few ER visits annually to have abscess drained. Not to mention no energy at all. Someone explain that to me.
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Found these posts when I was doing some research on Xifaxan & alternatives for my SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). Cipro is the best alternative, but I can't take it anymore because I've had joint/ligament issues as a side effect (somewhat common, noted in Cipro literature). Ended up taking Amoxicillin 500mg twice/day, which worked but took MUCH longer than Xifaxan to see results. One way to save on costs with Xifaxan is to see if you have SIBO--which many Crohnies have at some point as a result of resection surgery and loss of ileosecal valve. All you do is take a breath test when you have the bloating symptoms and if it registers high for hydrogen & methane it is a positive result. So wonderful--a noninvasive, painless test!!! There are things that you can do via food choices to prevent it from returning for long periods of time. I've been through this (staying away from fermentable sugars and carbs.) Take a look at the wiki section of this forum for info. links. There's tons of reliable research out of distinguished teaching hospitals around the world and RD's specialize in it for IBS and IBD patients. The foodplan is called low-FODMAPS and it is so much easier than something like the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. You might want to look into it. It has kept my SIBO symptoms, which I used to have every 6 months for 2 years, at bay for over one year so far. Best of luck.
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Xifaxan is dirt cheap from alldaychemist. That's where I got mine.
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I did a search on that site for Xifaxan and Rifaximin and it looks like it's no longer available there. Perhaps now that it's so widely used "off-label" for IBD it has become more restricted by the company. I know it's still not approved in Canada at this time (brand or generic). The drug really has to be approved in its patented form so that the generic has to follow the same guidelines and be safe as well.
Glad you had success back in 2011, though! Hopefully, it will be approved for IBD sometime soon and see some more daylight in ways that may drive the price down... I certainly hope so!
Glad you had success back in 2011, though! Hopefully, it will be approved for IBD sometime soon and see some more daylight in ways that may drive the price down... I certainly hope so!
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It works so they pulled it? Lol.
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Yeah, so typical...Now that the company sees a great opportunity to pull in tons of additional profits through another use (a significantly broader use than previously), they can restrict its sale to maximize those profits for all for themselves.
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That sucks I paid $12 for what would cost $1000 in US. Here is a great article about why healthcare costs so much in US. http://healthland.time.com/2013/02/20/bitter-pill-why-medical-bills-are-killing-us/6/
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Update on Rifaximin in Canada - Posted Nov 2016
As of 2013, Rifiaximin was approved in Canada for it's original liver disease treatment. It is not yet approved the purpose IBD, SIBO, or Crohns in Canada.
That being said, it is available in Canada with the name Zaxine and some GI's are prescribing it for IBS. I tried it for two weeks and it did absolute wonders for me. Less diarrhea, better formed stools... I was dealing with Post Infection IBS - from a bad relapse of C diff.
It was not covered by my Health Plan as it they say it is not approved in Canada for the purpose of IBS. It is approved for IBS in over 33 countries so again Canada lags behind in health care.
It is expensive.... a two week supply was $390 cdn. From what I hear, like many other prescriptions, Costco carries it and it might be cheaper there. It was definitely worth it for me....
Anyways, hope this helps. Also recommended for me was the FODMAP diet... that's helping too.
As of 2013, Rifiaximin was approved in Canada for it's original liver disease treatment. It is not yet approved the purpose IBD, SIBO, or Crohns in Canada.
That being said, it is available in Canada with the name Zaxine and some GI's are prescribing it for IBS. I tried it for two weeks and it did absolute wonders for me. Less diarrhea, better formed stools... I was dealing with Post Infection IBS - from a bad relapse of C diff.
It was not covered by my Health Plan as it they say it is not approved in Canada for the purpose of IBS. It is approved for IBS in over 33 countries so again Canada lags behind in health care.
It is expensive.... a two week supply was $390 cdn. From what I hear, like many other prescriptions, Costco carries it and it might be cheaper there. It was definitely worth it for me....
Anyways, hope this helps. Also recommended for me was the FODMAP diet... that's helping too.
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