Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.-New Extended Release Formulation of Rifaximin

Medication for Intestinal Conditions   ------ GOOD READ

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. : Salix Pharmaceuticals and Alfa Wassermann Announce License Agreement for a New Extended Intestinal Release Formulation of Rifaximin | 4-Traders:

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GENERAL INFO ABOUT XIFAXAN (RIFAXIMIN)

About XIFAXAN^® (rifaximin)

Rifaximin is a gut-selective antibiotic with negligible systemic absorption and broad-spectrum activity in vitro against both gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. Rifaximin has a similar tolerability profile to that of placebo.

Important Safety Information

XIFAXAN^® (rifaximin) 550 mg tablets

XIFAXAN 550 mg is indicated for reduction in risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in patients ? 18 years of age. In the trials of XIFAXAN for HE, 91% of the patients were using lactulose concomitantly. XIFAXAN has not been studied in patients with MELD scores > 25, and only 8.6% of patients in the controlled trial had MELD scores over 19. There is increased systemic exposure in patients with more severe hepatic dysfunction. Therefore, caution should be exercised when administering XIFAXAN to patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C).

XIFAXAN is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to rifaximin, any of the rifamycin antimicrobial agents, or any of the components in XIFAXAN. Hypersensitivity reactions have included exfoliative dermatitis, angioneurotic edema, and anaphylaxis.

Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has been reported with use of nearly all antibacterial agents, including XIFAXAN, and may range in severity from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. Treatment with antibacterial agents alters the normal flora of the colon which may lead to overgrowth of C. difficile. If CDAD is suspected or confirmed, ongoing antibiotic use not directed against C. difficile may need to be discontinued.

The most common adverse reactions occurring in >8% of patients in the clinical study were edema peripheral (15%), nausea (14%), dizziness (13%), fatigue (12%), ascites (11%), muscle spasms (9%), pruritus (9%), and abdominal pain (9%).

XIFAXAN^® (rifaximin) 200 mg tablets

Rifaximin tablets 200 mg, which Salix markets in the United States under the trade name XIFAXAN^®(rifaximin) tablets 200 mg, currently is approved for the treatment of patients, 12 years of age or older, with travelers' diarrhea (TD) caused by non-invasive strains of Escherichia coli. XIFAXAN should not be used in patients with diarrhea complicated by fever or blood in the stool or diarrhea due to pathogens other than Escherichia coli. XIFAXAN should be discontinued if diarrhea symptoms get worse or persist more than 24-48 hours, and alternative antibiotic therapy should be considered. In clinical trials, XIFAXAN was generally well-tolerated. The most common side effects (vs. placebo) were flatulence 11.3 percent (versus 19.7 percent), headache 9.7 percent (versus 9.2 percent), abdominal pain 7.2 percent (versus 10.1 percent) and rectal tenesmus 7.2 percent (versus 8.8 percent).

Rifaximin has been used in Italy for 25 years and is approved and sold in 33 countries under various trademarks. Salix acquired rights to market rifaximin in North America from Alfa Wassermann S.p.A., headquartered in Bologna, Italy.

About Crohn's Disease

According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), Crohn's disease affects as many as 700,000 Americans. Men and women are equally likely to be affected, and while the disease can occur at any age, Crohn's disease is more prevalent among adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 35. The causes of Crohn's disease are not well understood. Diet and stress can aggravate Crohn's disease, but they do not cause the disease on their own. Recent research suggests hereditary, genetics, bacteria and/or environmental factors contribute to the development of Crohn's disease.

About Salix

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd., headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, develops and markets prescription pharmaceutical products for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Salix's strategy is to in-license late-stage or marketed proprietary therapeutic products, complete any required development and regulatory submission of these products, and market them through the Company's gastroenterology specialty sales and marketing team.

Salix markets XIFAXAN^® (rifaximin) tablets 200 mg and 550 mg, MOVIPREP^® (PEG 3350, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Ascorbate and Ascorbic Acid for Oral Solution), OSMOPREP^® (sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate, USP and sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, USP) Tablets, APRISO^® (mesalamine) extended-release capsules 0.375 g, METOZOLV^®ODT (metoclopramide HCl), RELISTOR^® (methylnaltrexone bromide) Subcutaneous Injection, SOLESTA^®, DEFLUX^®, PEPCID^® (famotidine) for Oral Suspension, Oral Suspension DIURIL^®(Chlorothiazide), AZASAN^® (Azathioprine) Tablets, USP, 75/100 mg, ANUSOL-HC^® 2.5% (Hydrocortisone Cream, USP), ANUSOL-HC^® 25 mg Suppository (Hydrocortisone Acetate), PROCTOCORT^® Cream (Hydrocortisone Cream, USP) 1% and PROCTOCORT^® Suppository (Hydrocortisone Acetate Rectal Suppositories) 30 mg. Crofelemer, budesonide foam, RELISTOR^® , Lumacan^® and rifaximin for additional indications are under development.

For full prescribing information and important safety information on Salix products, including BOXED WARNINGS for OSMOPREP and METOZOLV, please visit www.salix.com where the Company promptly posts press releases, SEC filings and other important information or contact the Company at 919 862-1000.

Salix trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "SLXP".

For more information, please visit our Website at www.salix.com or contact the Company at 919-862-1000. Follow us on Twitter (@SalixPharma)