Dificid

Clostridium Difficile Associated Diarrhea (CDAD), Obesity

Treatment

1 Active Study for Dificid

What is Dificid

Fidaxomicin

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Fidaxomicin 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_

Dificid

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Dificid Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Dificid

Fidaxomicin

2011

3

Effectiveness

How Dificid Affects Patients

Fidaxomicin 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 body

Fidaxomicin 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

Obesity

200.0 mg, , 200.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL

, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Granule, for suspension - Oral, Granule, for suspension, Granule - Oral, Granule

Clostridium Difficile Associated Diarrhea (CDAD)

200.0 mg, , 200.0 mg/mL, 40.0 mg/mL

, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Granule, for suspension - Oral, Granule, for suspension, Granule - Oral, Granule

Warnings

Dificid Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Fidaxomicin may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Dificid.

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 Risk

In 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.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

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

Obesity

0 Actively Recruiting

Clostridium Difficile Associated Diarrhea (CDAD)

1 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2

Dificid Reviews: What are patients saying about Dificid?

5

Patient Review

2/12/2015

Dificid for Clostridium Difficile Bacteria Related Colitis

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!

5

Patient Review

5/21/2014

Dificid for Clostridium Difficile Bacteria Related Colitis

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.

5

Patient Review

9/22/2014

Dificid for Clostridium Difficile Bacteria Related Colitis

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.

5

Patient Review

9/6/2022

Dificid for Clostridium Difficile Bacteria Related Colitis

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.

5

Patient Review

4/22/2022

Dificid for Clostridium Difficile Bacteria Related Colitis

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.

5

Patient Review

5/13/2019

Dificid for Clostridium Difficile Bacteria Related Colitis

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.

5

Patient Review

9/25/2014

Dificid for Clostridium Difficile Bacteria Related Colitis

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.

5

Patient Review

10/23/2011

Dificid for Clostridium Difficile Bacteria Related Colitis

2.3

Patient Review

3/8/2015

Dificid for Clostridium Difficile Bacteria Related Colitis

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!

2

Patient Review

4/11/2019

Dificid for Clostridium Difficile Bacteria Related Colitis

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.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

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

Clinical Trials for Dificid