Irfan Younis, Zamir Butt, Malik Irfanullah Yasir, Syed Muhammad Ali Shah.
RIFAXAMIN VS LACTULOSE; In improving cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy.
Professional Med J Jan ;23(07):817-21.

Objectives: To compare Rifaxamin and Lactulose in improving the grades of hepatic encephalopathy in patients with decompensated liver disease. Study design: Randomized controlled trial comparing the use of rifaxamin and Lactulose. Place and duration of study: 1st July 2014 to 30th June 2015 in Department of Medicine, Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital Gujarat. Results: 1st July 2014 to 30th June 2015 in medical department of Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital Gujarat. Results: 400 cases were divided in two equal groups: Group A took Rifaximin & Group B Lactulose. Improvement in grades of hepatic encephalopathy were calculated on weekly bases. Monitoring was done by checking blood ammonia levels, number connection tests, flapping tremors and mental status. 40 patients (10%) did not stay in ward for one week. In ninety percent etiology of decompensated liver disease was hepatitis C virus. Improvement was noted in 76.96% (n=137) in Group-A and 72.52% (n=132) in Group-B, p value was found insignificant (>0.05). Conclusions: Rifaximin and lactulose had similar efficacy in the treatment of mild to moderate hepatic encephalopathy.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com