Rifaximin improves symptoms of acquired uncomplicated diverticular disease of the colon.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We examined the efficacy of cyclic long-term administration of rifaximin, a broad spectrum, poorly absorbable antibiotic, in obtaining symptom relief in a large series of patients with uncomplicated diverticular disease, and compared the incidence of episodes of diverticulitis in the group treated with rifaximin to that in a group receiving fiber supplementation only. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a multicenter, prospective, open trial, 968 outpatients with uncomplicated symptomatic diverticular disease were randomized to either fiber supplementation with 4 g/day glucomannan plus 400 mg rifaximin twice daily for 7 days every month ( n=558) or 4 g/day glucomannan alone ( n=346). Clinical evaluation was performed on admission and at 4-month intervals for 12 months. RESULTS: After 12 months the group treated with glucomannan + rifaximin showed fewer symptoms (abdominal pain/discomfort, bloating, tenesmus, diarrhea, abdominal tenderness) and a lower global symptomatic