Your session is about to expire
What is Dificid
FidaxomicinThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryFidaxomicin is an antibiotic used to treat diarrhea caused by the bacteria _Clostridioides difficile_ in adults and children over 6 months old. It is derived from fermentation and is different from other antibiotics because its bacteria-killing ability gets stronger over time. Fidaxomicin was approved by the FDA, European Medicine Agency, and Health Canada in 2011, 2012, and 2020 respectively. It works by blocking bacterial transcription which is responsible for its potent bacterial killing action. It has four times less minimum inhibitory concentration than vancomycin, the primary drug used to treat _C. difficile_
Dificidis the brand name
Dificid Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Dificid
Fidaxomicin
2011
3
Effectiveness
How Dificid Affects PatientsFidaxomicin is an antibiotic that is effective against Clostridium difficile, a type of bacteria. It works by gradually killing the bacteria, and is generally more successful than other antibiotics against C. difficile. It has moderate activity against other types of Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, but is not as effective against other types of bacteria. Fidaxomicin is not known to cause cross-resistance with other antibiotics such as rifamycins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, or clindamycin.
How Dificid works in the bodyFidaxomicin is an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by _Clostridium difficile_, a type of bacteria. It works by preventing the bacteria from making messenger RNA, which is critical for bacterial survival. Fidaxomicin targets the DNA-RNA polymerase complex, preventing the separation of DNA strands during transcription and thus blocking mRNA synthesis. This targeted approach to bacterial inhibition reduces the chances of antibiotic resistance, as the activity is specific to _C. difficile_.
When to interrupt dosage
The measure of Dificid is reliant on the diagnosed affliction. The amount of dosage is contingent upon the technique of delivery (e.g. Granule - Oral or Granule, for suspension - Oral) detailed in the table beneath.Condition
Dosage
Administration
body weight of at least 12.5 kg
200.0 mg, , 200.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL
Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Granule, for suspension, Granule, for suspension - Oral, Granule - Oral, Granule
Clostridium Difficile Associated Diarrhea (CDAD)
200.0 mg, , 200.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL
Oral, , Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Granule, for suspension, Granule, for suspension - Oral, Granule - Oral, Granule
Warnings
Dificid ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Fidaxomicin may interact with Pulse Frequency
Common Dificid Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Vibrio cholerae CVD 103-HgR strain live antigen
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Vibrio cholerae CVD 103-HgR strain live antigen can be decreased when used in combination with Fidaxomicin.
BCG vaccine
Minor
The therapeutic efficacy of BCG vaccine can be decreased when used in combination with Fidaxomicin.
Typhoid vaccine
Minor
The therapeutic efficacy of Typhoid vaccine can be decreased when used in combination with Fidaxomicin.
(R)-warfarin
Moderate
The risk or severity of bleeding can be increased when Fidaxomicin is combined with (R)-warfarin.
(S)-Warfarin
Moderate
The risk or severity of bleeding can be increased when Fidaxomicin is combined with (S)-Warfarin.
Dificid Toxicity & Overdose RiskIn tests on rats, the most toxic dose of fidaxomicin was 200mg/kg. No significant adverse side effects were seen at a dose of 62.5mg/kg. There is not much information available on the effects of an overdose in humans.
Dificid Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Dificid?
Three active studies are currently assessing the potential of Dificid to alleviate Clostridium Difficile Associated Diarrhea (CDAD).Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Clostridium Difficile Associated Diarrhea (CDAD)
2 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2
body weight of at least 12.5 kg
0 Actively Recruiting
Dificid Reviews: What are patients saying about Dificid?
5Patient Review
2/12/2015 I have been battling cdiff for a year now at just 19 years old. I have been in the hospital more times than I can count. I am 95 pounds and have been on Vanco. I had an allergy to flagyl the first day on the medication, but I am very happy that HAP approved my 32,000 copay. I hope to get my life back and not live in the hospital hooked up to an IV!
5Patient Review
5/21/2014 Finally found something that works after six months of battling c-diff. This medication was a lifesaver and I'm so grateful to the company that produces it.
5Patient Review
9/22/2014 Dificid was the only medication that worked for my CDiff after six months of struggling. I tried Flagyl and Vacomycin, but neither of them did anything. Dificid was more expensive, but it was worth it to finally get rid of the CDiff.
5Patient Review
9/6/2022 Vancomycin is a strong antibiotic that can have some serious side effects if you don't take probiotics alongside it. Probiotics will help you avoid contracting CDIFF, and liquid vancomycin may give you a false negative for the disease. If you do contract CDIFF, DIFICID is an antibiotic designed to stop it in its tracks.
5Patient Review
4/22/2022 I relapsed after ten days of Vancomycin, but Dificid really helped me get over the infection. I'm feeling great now and it's been 24 days since my last pill.
5Patient Review
5/13/2019 I've been taking this medication for eight days out of ten, and so far it hasn't done anything to improve my chronic difficile colitis. I'm following all the recommended hygiene and dietary measures, too.
5Patient Review
9/25/2014 I've been battling severe diarrhea since early June, and this is the third antibiotic I've tried. So far, it seems to be working better than the others – with no return of symptoms a few days after stopping treatment, as was the case previously.
5Patient Review
10/23/20112.3Patient Review
3/8/2015 I had to try six different treatments before finding one that worked for me. I'm glad Dificid was my last resort before going to a fecal transplant because that has its own set of risks. Luckily, I experienced no adverse side effects from this medication and it's been four months since I've had any symptoms!
2Patient Review
4/11/2019 I had CDIFF for seven months and failed to respond to flagyl or Vanco. Dificid didn't work after ten days, but the three month pulse/taper did eventually cure me. I've been dealing with IBS for a year now and am still recovering.
Patient Q&A Section about dificid
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.Is dificid better than vancomycin?
"The success rate of fidaxomicin compared to vancomycin was equal or better. Fidaxomicin was also significantly better at preventing recurring C. difficile infections caused by non North American Pulsed Field type 1 strains."
Answered by AI
How long does it take for dificid to work?
"The majority of reviewers voted this treatment as positive, saying that after just three days, they feel alive and happy. They recount living through three episodes of c-diff within a six week period, including dehydration and hospitalization."
Answered by AI
Will dificid cure C diff?
"Fidaxomicin is an expensive but effective treatment for C. difficile infection. Until it is known that the benefits of fidaxomicin outweigh the significant cost, metronidazole or oral vancomycin is the preferred treatment for most patients."
Answered by AI
What are the side effects of dificid?
"The potential side effects of the medication are nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, bloating, gas, skin rash, or itching."
Answered by AI