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Aemcolo

rifamycin
Used for Diarrhea
Used for Diarrhea

Aemcolo (rifamycin) is an antibiotic that you take for 3 days to treat travelers’ diarrhea caused by E. coli. It's different from other antibiotics for travelers' diarrhea because it doesn't affect your whole body, only your gut where the infection is happening.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
reviewer
Ashley Wong, PharmD
Last reviewed on September 20, 2021
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageCostAlternativesPricesMedicare
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What is Aemcolo (rifamycin)?

What is Aemcolo (rifamycin) used for?

  • Travelers’ diarrhea

How Aemcolo (rifamycin) works

Aemcolo (rifamycin) is an antibiotic that works by blocking a protein that E. coli needs to survive and reproduce (grow). This helps treat travelers’ diarrhea because it stops E. coli from growing.

Are you looking for information on rifabutin (Mycobutin),
rifampin (Rifadin), or
rifapentine (Priftin) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsAemcolo
Drug ClassAntibiotic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Avg retail price
$222.14(save 15.04%)
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$188.73
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What are the side effects of Aemcolo (rifamycin)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Constipation (4%)
  • Headache (3%)
  • Indigestion or upset stomach (less than 2%)

Other Side Effects

  • Stomach pain
  • Fever

Source: Prescribing Information

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Aemcolo (rifamycin)

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Pros

Only need to take it for a short time (3 days)

Not many side effects

Works well to treat travelers' diarrhea caused by E. coli

Not systemically absorbed (doesn't affect your whole body) like other medications for travelers' diarrhea

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Cons

Must take each dose with a full beverage (6 to 8 ounces)

Not available as a generic, which may make it more expensive

Not meant to treat travelers' diarrhea that comes with a fever and/or bloody stool

Needs to be taken twice a day

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Aemcolo (rifamycin)

pharmacist

  • Take Aemcolo (rifamycin) with a full glass of water, juice, or soda. Don't take it with alcohol, however, because this can affect how the medication is absorbed in your body.

    • Make sure to take all of the Aemcolo (rifamycin) your provider prescribes to clear up your infection, even if you start to feel better before finishing the entire course.

      • If your diarrhea lasts longer than 48 hours or gets worse while you're taking Aemcolo (rifamycin), contact your provider right away because something else could be making you sick.

        • Let your provider know if you develop a fever or bloody stools because Aemcolo (rifamycin) might not work for you.

          • If you're traveling with your Aemcolo (rifamycin) bottle, make sure to keep the medication within the closed container at room temperature. Keep it away from heat or moisture.

            • You shouldn’t break, chew, or crush the tablets because doing so can cause the medication to be released too fast and put you at higher risk for side effects.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Aemcolo (rifamycin)

              Can I take Aemcolo (rifamycin) to prevent travelers’ diarrhea?
              Generally, you should only take Aemcolo (rifamycin) to treat travelers’ diarrhea, not to prevent it from happening. Taking Aemcolo (rifamycin) without an infection can wipe out the good, protective bacteria from your gut, which can invite bad, harmful bacteria that’s hard to treat.
              Do I need to take Aemcolo (rifamycin) with anything like food or water?
              Take Aemcolo (rifamycin) with something to drink like a full glass of water or juice, but not alcohol. It doesn’t matter if you take it with food.
              What if I start to feel better, can I stop taking Aemcolo (rifamycin) early?
              Take Aemcolo (rifamycin) for the full amount of time your provider prescribed. Usually this medication is taken for 3 days. If you start to feel better and stop taking Aemcolo (rifamycin) too soon, your diarrhea could come back and be harder to treat.
              Is Aemcolo (rifamycin) the same as rifampin?
              Although they sound similar, Aemcolo (rifamycin) and rifampin (Rifadin) are two different medications. They're both antibacterial medications, but rifampin is used for different types of infections, including tuberculosis. Their names are similar because they're both a part of the same group of antibiotics called "rifamycins." Aemcolo (rifamycin) was developed first, then rifampin was developed later.
              How soon will my travelers' diarrhea go away once I start taking Aemcolo (rifamycin)?
              In a large clinical study, it took about 48 hours on average for people to have fewer soft stools.
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              What are the risks and warnings for Aemcolo (rifamycin)?

              Aemcolo (rifamycin) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

              risk-warning

              Diarrhea with fever and/or bloody stools

              • Risk factors: Travelers' diarrhea with fever and/or bloody stools

                In clinical studies, Aemcolo (rifamycin) didn't work for people with diarrhea plus fever or bloody stools. In fact, it took longer for their diarrhea to go away. Aemcolo (rifamycin) also won't work for travelers' diarrhea caused by germs other than E. coli. Tell your provider if your diarrhea gets worse or lasts longer than 2 days after starting Aemcolo (rifamycin). They might want you to take another antibiotic instead.

                risk-warning

                C. difficile

                Sometimes, taking antibiotics like Aemcolo (rifamycin) can wipe out the good bacteria in your gut, which can cause a bacteria called C. difficile to grow. C. difficile is a serious infection that can make you very sick and can happen even 2 months after taking Aemcolo (rifamycin). Make sure to call your provider if you develop diarrhea even after completing your Aemcolo (rifamycin) course.

                risk-warning

                Developing resistant bacteria

                Don't take Aemcolo (rifamycin) if you don't have travelers' diarrhea or if you're just trying to prevent travelers' diarrhea. This can raise your risk of developing an infection that's harder to treat with typical antibiotics.

                dosage

                Aemcolo (rifamycin) dosage forms

                The average cost for 1 package of 12 tablets of 194mg of Aemcolo (rifamycin) is $188.73 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 15.04% off the average retail price of $222.14.
                package
                Package
                DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                12 tablets of 194mg1 package$188.73$188.73

                Typical dosing for Aemcolo (rifamycin)

                Each tablet contains 194 mg of Aemcolo (rifamycin). The typical dose of Aemcolo (rifamycin) is 388 mg (two tablets) by mouth twice a day for 3 days.

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                Aemcolo (brand)
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                alternatives

                What are alternatives to Aemcolo (rifamycin)?

                There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Aemcolo (rifamycin). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                Aemcolo (rifamycin)
                Used for:

                • Travelers’ diarrhea

                $188.73 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
                Used for:
                $4.06 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                Azithromycin (Zithromax)
                Used for:

                • Ear infections (ages 6 months and older)

                • Pneumonia (ages 6 months and older)

                • Strep throat (ages 2 years and older)

                • Tonsil infections (ages 2 years and older)

                $9.38 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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