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Xifaxan(R) (rifaximin) Treatment Following Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy (OHE) Hospitalization Associated with Reduced Risk of 30-Day OHE Rehospitalization
New analysis suggests efficacy of Xifaxan to mitigate OHE rehospitalizations irrespective of trea...
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[{"type":"text","content":"Xifaxan(R) (rifaximin) Treatment Following Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy (OHE) Hospitalization Associated with Reduced Risk of 30-Day OHE RehospitalizationNew analysis suggests efficacy of Xifaxan to mitigate OHE rehospitalizations irrespective of treatment history LAVAL, QC / ACCESS Newswire / May 6, 2025 / Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE:BHC)(TSX:BHC), a global, diversified pharmaceutical company, and its gastroenterology (GI) business, Salix Pharmaceuticals (\"Salix\"), today announced new data showing that people hospitalized due to overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) had a reduced risk of OHE-related rehospitalization within 30 days if treated with Xifaxan® (rifaximin) following hospital discharge regardless of prior treatment. These findings, based on a claims-based analysis, will be presented today at Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2025 in San Diego, CA.\"This analysis reinforces the use of Xifaxan to help prevent OHE rehospitalizations,\" said Arun Jesudian, MD, Director of Inpatient Liver Services at NYPH/Weill Cornell. \"Cases of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis are growing, and these conditions can be debilitating for patients and their families. Providing patients with optimal, guideline-based treatment regimens is imperative because preventing recurrence and rehospitalizations not only benefits patients but also helps reduce burden on the broader healthcare system.\"In patients with cirrhosis, an occurrence of fully symptomatic overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) is one of the key complications that defines the decompensated phase of the disease and is associated with worsening outcomes, morbidity, and mortality.1 Because in cirrhosis a damaged liver does not function normally, toxins from the gut can enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain, where they can affect neurotransmission precipitating OHE episodes. These episodes may present as alterations in consciousness, cognition, and behavior.2,3 Up to 80% of patients with cirrhosis will eventually develop some form of HE.1 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) treatment guidelines recommend the use of Xifaxan as an add-on treatment to lactulose after a breakthrough OHE episode to prevent further OHE recurrence.1Results of this claims-based analysis showed that patients who received lactulose only upon hospital discharge had a ...