Leaflet: information for the user
TIXTAR 550 mg film-coated tablets
rifaximina
Read this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet, as you may need to read it again.
- If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only, and you must not give it to others even if they have the same symptoms as you, as it may harm them.
- If you experience any side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if they are not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
1. What TIXTAR is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before using TIXTAR
3. How to take TIXTAR
4. Possible side effects
5. Storage of TIXTAR
6. Contents of the pack and additional information
TIXTAR contains the active ingredient rifaximin. Rifaximin is an antibiotic that eliminates bacteria that can cause a disease called hepatic encephalopathy (among the symptoms are agitation, confusion, muscle problems, difficulty speaking, and in some cases, coma).
TIXTAR is used in adults with liver disease to reduce the recurrence of episodes of overt hepatic encephalopathy.
TIXTAR may be used alone or, more commonly, in combination with medications that contain lactulose (a laxative).
Do not take TIXTAR:
- rifaximin
- similar antibiotics (such as rifampicin or rifabutin)
- any of the other components of this medication (listed in section 6)
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to take TIXTAR.
If you have ever developed a severe skin rash or peeling of the skin, blisters, and/or mouth sores after taking rifaximin.
Be especially careful with rifaximin:
Severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, have been reported in association with rifaximin treatment. Stop using rifaximin and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the symptoms related to these severe skin reactions described in section 4.
While taking TIXTAR, your urine may turn reddish. This is normal.
Treatment with any antibiotic, including rifaximin, may cause severe diarrhea. This can occur several months after you have finished taking the medication. If you have severe diarrhea during or after using TIXTAR, stop taking TIXTAR and contact your doctor immediately.
If you have severe liver problems, your doctor will need to keep a close eye on you.
TIXTAR contains sodium
This medication contains less than 1 mmol of sodium (23 mg) per tablet; this is essentially "sodium-free".
Children and adolescents
TIXTAR is not recommended for children or adolescents under 18 years of age. This medication has not been studied in children and adolescents.
Other medications and TIXTAR
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or may need to take any other medication.
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:
- antibiotics (infection medications)
- warfarin (blood clot prevention medication)
- antiepileptics (epilepsy medications)
- antiarrhythmics (abnormal heart rhythm medications)
- ciclosporin (immunosuppressant)
- oral contraceptives
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or think you may be pregnant, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medication.
The safety of TIXTAR for use during pregnancy is unknown. Therefore, TIXTAR should not be used if you are pregnant.
The safety of rifaximin for use during breastfeeding is unknown. Therefore, TIXTAR should not be used if you are breastfeeding.
Driving and operating machinery
TIXTAR usually does not affect the ability to drive and operate machinery, but may cause dizziness in some patients. If you feel dizzy, do not drive or operate machinery.
Follow exactly the administration instructions for this medication as indicated by your doctor. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
The recommended dose is 1 tablet taken twice a day with a glass of water.
Continue taking TIXTAR until your doctor tells you to stop.
If you take more TIXTAR than you should
If you have taken more tablets than you should, even if you do not notice any problems, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or call the Toxicological Information Service, phone 91-562 04 20 indicating the medication and the amount taken.
If you forget to take TIXTAR
Take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed doses.
If you interrupt treatment with TIXTAR
Do not stop taking TIXTAR without first consulting your doctor, as symptoms may return.
If you have any other questions about the use of this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine may cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Stop using Tixtar and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
Rare(may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
• If you have a bleeding of swollen blood vessels in the throat (esophageal varices).
• If you have severe diarrhea during or after using this medicine. This may be due to an intestinal infection.
Unknown frequency(cannot be estimated from available data)
•Flat, reddish spots, in the shape of a target or circles on the trunk, often with central blisters, skin peeling, mouth ulcers, throat, nose, genital, and eye ulcers. These severe skin eruptions may be preceded by fever and flu-like symptoms.
• If you experience an allergic reaction, hypersensitivity, or angioedema. Symptoms include:
- Swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Urticaria and difficulty swallowing.
• If you have any unexpected or unusual bleeding or hematoma. This may be due to a decrease in platelets in the blood, which increases the risk of bleeding.
Other side effects that may occur:
Common(may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
• Depressed mood
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Difficulty breathing
• Nausea or vomiting sensation
• Abdominal pain or meteorism/ swelling
• Diarrhea
• Fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity (ascitis)
• Skin rash or itching
• Muscle cramps
• Joint pain
• Swelling of the ankles, feet, or fingers
Rare(may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
• Fungal infections (such as candidiasis)
• Urinary tract infection (such as cystitis)
• Anemia (decrease in red blood cells that may cause pale skin and weakness or difficulty breathing)
• Loss of appetite
• Hyperkalemia (elevated potassium levels in the blood)
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Numbness sensation
• Difficulty sleeping
• Feeling of instability
• Memory loss or poor memory
• Difficulty concentrating
• Decreased sense of touch
• Seizures (epileptic crises)
• Hot flashes
• Fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion)
• Abdominal pain
• Dry mouth
• Muscle pain
• Need to urinate more frequently than usual
• Difficulty or pain while urinating
• Fever
• Edema (swelling due to fluid accumulation in the body)
• Falls
Very rare(may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
• Thoracic infections, including pneumonia
• Cellulitis (inflammation of the tissue under the skin)
• Upper respiratory tract infections (nose, mouth, throat)
• Rhinitis (inflammation inside the nose)
• Dehydration (loss of body water)
• Blood pressure changes
• Chronic respiratory problems (such as chronic bronchitis)
• Constipation
• Back pain
• Protein in the urine
• Feeling of weakness
• Hematoma
• Pain after an intervention
Unknown frequency(cannot be estimated from available data)
• Fainting or feeling of fainting
• Skin irritation, eczema (dry, red skin that itches)
• Decreased platelets (seen in blood tests)
• Changes in liver function (seen in blood tests)
• Changes in blood clotting (International Normalized Ratio, seen in blood tests).
Reporting side effects
If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist, even if it is a possible side effect that does not appear in this prospectus. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for the Pharmacovigilance of Medicines for Human Use: www.notificaRAM.es. By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information on the safety of this medicine.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the box and the blister pack after CAD. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
TIXTAR does not require special storage conditions.
Medicines should not be disposed of through drains or in the trash. Dispose of the containers and medicines you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point at the pharmacy. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the containers and medicines you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of TIXTAR
The active ingredient is rifaximin. Each tablet contains 550 mg of rifaximin.
The other components are:
-Tablet core:carboxymethylcellulose sodium type A (from potato),diestearoyl glycerol, anhydrous colloidal silica, talc,microcrystalline cellulose.
-Tablet coating (opadry oy-s-34907): hypromellose, titanium dioxide(E171), disodium edetate, propylene glycol, iron oxide red(E172)
Appearance of the product and contents of the packaging
Coated tablets, oval, convex, and pink in color, with “RX” engraved on one side.
TIXTAR is available in packs of 14, 28, 42, 56, and 98 tablets.
Only some packaging sizes may be marketed.
Marketing authorization holder and responsible manufacturer
Marketing authorization holder:
Alfasigma S.p.A.
Via Ragazzi del ’99, n. 5
40133 Bologna.ITALY
Responsible manufacturer:
Alfasigma, S.p.A.
Via Enrico Fermi, 1
65020 Alanno, Pescara.ITALY
Alfasigma, S.p.A.
Via Pontina Km 30,400
00071 Pomezia, Rome. ITALY
Local representative:
Alfasigma España, S.L.
Avda. Diagonal, 490
08006 Barcelona. SPAIN
This medicine is authorized in the member states of the European Economic Area with the following names:
TIXTAR: Italy, Spain
Last review date of this leaflet: May 2024
Detailed and updated information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS)http://www.aemps.gob.es/
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.