Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Will Xifaxan And Neomycin Combination Help In Treating Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth?
Question: Hi, I have, or think I have, methane type SIBO. I had the breath test but they only checked for hydrogen.
My gastroenterologist in XXXXXXX doesn't believe that SIBO is a real thing so I went to another gastro and he gave me the hydrogen test. I have taken 2xday 7 day course of Xifaxan and a ten day course of neomycin 2 xday.. These were presribed by the two different doctors at separate times.
I would like to be on Dr. Pimentel's antibiotic recommended course just to see if it would work.
Thank you. XXXXXXX XXXX
My gastroenterologist in XXXXXXX doesn't believe that SIBO is a real thing so I went to another gastro and he gave me the hydrogen test. I have taken 2xday 7 day course of Xifaxan and a ten day course of neomycin 2 xday.. These were presribed by the two different doctors at separate times.
I would like to be on Dr. Pimentel's antibiotic recommended course just to see if it would work.
Thank you. XXXXXXX XXXX
Brief Answer:
Please follow the suggestions below...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
1. SIBO is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. It is characterized by overgrowth of bacteria that are normally residuing in the small intestines.
2. Depending on the type of bacteria metabolism, there exist 3 types of SIBO:
a. Hydrogen SIBO= the intestines are colonized by hydrogen-forming bacteria. This type was excluded by the hydrogen test that your gastro carried out.
b. Methane SIBO = the bacteria that are colonazing intestines are forming methane( lactulose test is advised to diagnose it)
c. Mixed SIBO characterized by both hydrogen and methane forming bacteria.
In your case, the type of SIBO was methane.
3. With regards to treatment, it consists of antibiotics, mostly used neomycin, metronidazole and lately rifaximin (Xifaxan).
4. Dr.Pimentel the specialist who is working with patients suffering of IBS and SIBO.
He has suggested a combination therapy of Xifaxan with neomycin for 14 days or Xifaxan with metronidazole for 14 days.
Erythromycin can also be added to the therapy with Xifaxan.
I hope such treatment will work for you.
All the best!
Dr.Klerida
Please follow the suggestions below...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.
1. SIBO is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. It is characterized by overgrowth of bacteria that are normally residuing in the small intestines.
2. Depending on the type of bacteria metabolism, there exist 3 types of SIBO:
a. Hydrogen SIBO= the intestines are colonized by hydrogen-forming bacteria. This type was excluded by the hydrogen test that your gastro carried out.
b. Methane SIBO = the bacteria that are colonazing intestines are forming methane( lactulose test is advised to diagnose it)
c. Mixed SIBO characterized by both hydrogen and methane forming bacteria.
In your case, the type of SIBO was methane.
3. With regards to treatment, it consists of antibiotics, mostly used neomycin, metronidazole and lately rifaximin (Xifaxan).
4. Dr.Pimentel the specialist who is working with patients suffering of IBS and SIBO.
He has suggested a combination therapy of Xifaxan with neomycin for 14 days or Xifaxan with metronidazole for 14 days.
Erythromycin can also be added to the therapy with Xifaxan.
I hope such treatment will work for you.
All the best!
Dr.Klerida
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Where can I get the antibiotics? XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Should take prescription from your doctor...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXXXXX
Antibiotics are prescription medicines, and can be taken after a full prescription by your physician. Discuss it further with your doctor. There is a policy we cannot provide prescriptions online.
You are saying to have already taken Xifaxan (rifaximin) for 7 days and neomycin for 10 days. I advise to discuss with your doctor to take another combination therapy of Xifaxan and neomycin altogether after re-evaluating your medical condition.
All the best!
Dr.Klerida
Should take prescription from your doctor...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXXXXX
Antibiotics are prescription medicines, and can be taken after a full prescription by your physician. Discuss it further with your doctor. There is a policy we cannot provide prescriptions online.
You are saying to have already taken Xifaxan (rifaximin) for 7 days and neomycin for 10 days. I advise to discuss with your doctor to take another combination therapy of Xifaxan and neomycin altogether after re-evaluating your medical condition.
All the best!
Dr.Klerida
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
