Methods of treating hepatic encephalopathy
The application describes treatment of hepatic encephalopathy using gastrointestinal specific antibiotics. One example of a gastrointestinal specific antibiotic is rifaximin.
1 . A method of decreasing lactulose use in a hepatic encephalopathy subject, the method comprising:
administering 550 mg rifaximin twice a day (BID) to the subject that is being treated with a baseline dosage of about 70 grams lactulose per day; and
tapering lactulose consumption to a dosage of about 20 grams per day.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the administration of rifaximin initially results in the subject being treated with a dosage of lactulose that is increased from the baseline dosage.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the subject is treated with the increased lactulose dosage for about 1 day to about 30 days.