Fidaxomicin
Fidaxomicin (trade name Dificid) is a new type of antibiotic. It is taken orally and has a low impact on the bloodstream. It kills the target bacteria and has been shown to kill Clostridium difficile without attacking the many healthy bacteria found in the normal, healthy intestine. This in turn lessens the chance of further C Diff attacks.
Fidaxomicin has been developed by Optimer Pharmaceuticals. It works by inhibiting the bacterial enzyme RNA polymerase. This results in the death of Clostridium difficile.
For more technical information and the background to Fidaxomicin (Dificid) check Wikipedia
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello,My Dad has C.Diff.He is 82yrs.He has been in the hospital and is home again.Dr’s have had him on antibiotics,but,to no avail.C.Diff.slows down and flares up again! What food can he eat with-out getting sick? I will be thank-full for what ever info you can
give me.God Bless
This from the http://www.uptodate.com/contents/patient-information-antibiotic-associated-diarrhea-clostridium-difficile site may help
Diet — There is no particular food or group of foods that is best for a person with diarrhea. However, adequate nutrition is important during an episode of acute diarrhea. For patients without an appetite, it is acceptable to consume only liquids for a short period of time. Boiled starches and cereals (eg, potatoes, noodles, rice, wheat, and oats) with salt are recommended for people with watery diarrhea; crackers, bananas, soup, and boiled vegetables may also be eaten.
A temporary type of lactose intolerance is common following diarrheal illness; this may last for several weeks to months. Thus, temporary avoidance of lactose-containing foods (eg, ice cream, milk and milk products) may be helpful.
I have had IBS for about 20 years. I self treated for about 10-12 years and been treated by MD since. We tried everything with only little help. Two years ago I was diagnosed with C-diff (no known cause) and it took 8 months to cure. I still had my IBS symptoms. Then 1 year ago I was diagnosed again with c-diff (this time after antibiotics). After 6 costly months of Vancomycin I was clear, but I still had my IBS symptoms which seemed to worsen. I tried to withstand the discomfort, but called the GI doc again. He ordered at ct (my 3rd in less than a year). All CTs showed signs of chronic colitis, but a colonoscopy showed not. I recently went for a 2nd opininion and had another colonoscopy, which tested positive for c-diff again, yet my colon lining showed no signs of it or colitis. What is going on? I am in very bad pain and cannot leave the house much due to my uncontrolable diarhea – I have many accidents. I am due to start a new antibiotic – Xifaxan 550. Will this help?
Also, I have not had an appetite and eat very little, yet I have gained a bit of weight. I have been through stress lately – my son was injured in an accident 4/2007. After he came home from the hospital, I cared for him (in between many hospital stays that I stayed with him) until his death 3/2011. He was never diagnosed with c-diff – hes lost part of his colon and had a ileostomy. Any input you have is appreciated as I am tired of being sick and tired!!!
The drug you have been prescribed is a common IBS drug. You may need to ask about Dificid as this seems to cut the re-occurence of C Diff.
Dave
cdifficile.org