Xifaxan is a prescription oral antibiotic. Its generic name is rifaximin.

Xifaxan is approved for the following uses:

• Treatment of travelers’ diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in adults and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older
• Risk reduction of recurrent overt hepatic encephalopathy in adults
• Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea in adults

Xifaxan should not be used for diarrhea complicated by fever or blood in the stool, or for diarrhea caused by bacteria other than E. coli. 

Is there a generic version of Xifaxan?

Yes. The generic version of Xifaxan is called rifaximin.

Generic rifaximin is available in Canada and contains the same active ingredient as brand-name Xifaxan. In the United States, generic rifaximin is not currently available due to patent protections, and the earliest expected availability is 2029.

Many Americans choose to buy generic rifaximin from Canada because it is significantly cheaper than brand-name Xifaxan sold at U.S. retail pharmacies. With a valid prescription, Americans can order generic rifaximin from Canadian pharmacies and often pay a much lower price per tablet.

Xifaxan vs rifaximin generic cost (550 mg)

The price of Xifaxan in Canada depends on tablet strength, whether brand or generic is selected, and the quantity ordered. Ordering larger quantities lowers the cost per tablet.

Xifaxan 200 mg price in Canada

Xifaxan 550 mg price in Canada

Xifaxan price in Canada vs. U.S. pharmacies 

U.S. retail pricing for Xifaxan is significantly higher than Canadian pharmacy pricing.

With a valid prescription, Americans can order either brand-name Xifaxan or generic rifaximin from Canadian pharmacies and reduce their cost per tablet substantially.

American patients with a valid prescription can order Xifaxan or rifaximin from True Canada Pharmacy:

1. Visit True Canada Pharmacy and use the search bar to find Xifaxan or rifaximin.
2. Select the dosage and quantity prescribed by your doctor, then click Add to Cart and continue to checkout.
3. Sign in to your existing account or create a new one. If you would prefer to order by phone, call 1-877-204-1509.
4. Upload a valid prescription during checkout, or request that True Canada Pharmacy contact your doctor or current pharmacy on your behalf.
5. Review your order details and submit your order.
6. After your prescription is approved, your medication is shipped directly to your home.

How to take Xifaxan

Xifaxan is taken by mouth and can be taken with or without food. The dose and treatment length depend on the condition being treated. Always take Xifaxan exactly as prescribed by your doctor. 

• Travelers’ diarrhea: 200 mg taken 3 times per day for 3 days
• Hepatic encephalopathy: 550 mg taken 2 times per day
• IBS-D: 550 mg taken 3 times per day for 14 days. Patients who experience a recurrence of symptoms may be retreated up to two times using the same dosing regimen.

Xifaxan should be taken for the full prescribed course, even if symptoms improve before the medication is finished.

Xifaxan side effects

For travelers’ diarrhea, the most commonly reported side effect is headaches.

For hepatic encephalopathy, commonly reported side effects include:

• Peripheral edema
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Urinary tract infection 
• Insomnia
• Anemia
• Itching
• Ascites

For IBS-D, commonly reported side effects include:

• Increased ALT levels
• Nausea 

Contact your doctor or seek medical help right away if you experience the following:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, itching, red or swollen skin, blistering or peeling skin with or without fever, wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, trouble breathing, swallowing, or speaking, unusual hoarseness, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Signs of a severe skin reaction, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, including red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever, red or irritated eyes, or sores in the mouth, throat, nose, or eyes

• Swelling in the arms or legs
• Swelling of the abdomen
• Shortness of breath
• Depression
• Fever
• Severe or persistent diarrhea 

In rare cases, Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea may occur during treatment or months after antibiotic use. Contact your doctor right away if you develop stomach pain, cramps, or loose, watery, or bloody stools, and check with your doctor before treating diarrhea on your own.

Cautions

• Do not take Xifaxan if you have a history of hypersensitivity to rifaximin, other rifamycin antibiotics, or any of the ingredients in Xifaxan.
• If you take warfarin, your doctor may need to monitor your INR and prothrombin time more closely, and a warfarin dose adjustment may be required to maintain the correct INR range.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any drug or non-drug allergies.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription and non-prescription medications you take, including supplements and herbal products.
• Inform your doctor about your full medical history.
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or pregnant. If you are pregnant, take Xifaxan only when clearly needed and under a doctor’s supervision.
• Xifaxan may reduce the effectiveness of live bacterial vaccines, such as the typhoid vaccine.

How much does Xifaxan 550 mg cost without insurance?

Without insurance, Xifaxan 550 mg costs $60.28 per tablet in U.S. retail pharmacies. In Canada, brand-name Xifaxan 550 mg costs about $11.23 per tablet, while generic rifaximin 550 mg costs about $1.75 per tablet.

What is the price of Xifaxan 550 mg in Canada?

In Canada, brand-name Xifaxan 550 mg costs $11.23 per tablet. Generic rifaximin 550 mg is also available in Canada and costs $1.75 per tablet. Pricing may vary based on quantity ordered, but the per-tablet cost for generic rifaximin remains significantly lower than brand-name Xifaxan. 

What is the cheapest place to buy Xifaxan?

The cheapest place to buy Xifaxan is through a Canadian pharmacy such as True Canada Pharmacy. Prices are significantly lower than those at U.S. retail pharmacies, and costs can be reduced even further by choosing generic rifaximin or ordering a larger quantity to lower the price per tablet.

At True Canada Pharmacy, generic rifaximin costs $0.78 per tablet for 200 mg and $1.75 per tablet for 550 mg, compared with U.S. retail prices of $11.84 per tablet for Xifaxan 200 mg and $60.28 per tablet for Xifaxan 550 mg. 

Does generic rifaximin cost less than Xifaxan?

Yes. Generic rifaximin is substantially cheaper than brand-name Xifaxan. In Canada, generic rifaximin 200 mg costs $0.78 per tablet, while brand-name Xifaxan 200 mg costs $3.36 per tablet at larger quantities. For the 550 mg strength, generic rifaximin costs $1.75 per tablet, compared with $11.23 per tablet for brand-name Xifaxan.

Because generic rifaximin uses the same active ingredient as Xifaxan, it works the same way in the body when taken as prescribed. The difference between the two is the brand name and the price, not the medication itself. 

Is generic rifaximin available in Canada?

Yes. Generic rifaximin is available in Canada and contains the same active ingredient as brand-name Xifaxan. The United States does not currently offer generic rifaximin due to patent protections until at least 2029.

Is generic rifaximin the same as Xifaxan?

Yes. Generic rifaximin contains the same active ingredient as brand-name Xifaxan. Both medications use rifaximin as the active drug. The difference is the brand name and price, not the active ingredient itself.

Why is Xifaxan cheaper in Canada?

Xifaxan is cheaper in Canada mainly because of differences in pharmacy pricing structures, drug pricing regulations, and retail markups, which result in lower per-tablet costs compared with U.S. pharmacies. 

In addition, generic rifaximin is available in Canada, while the United States does not currently offer a generic version until at least 2029. This gives patients more pricing options. Because of these factors, many Americans choose to buy Xifaxan or rifaximin from Canadian pharmacies to reduce their medication costs.

Can Americans buy Xifaxan from a Canadian pharmacy?

Yes. Americans can buy both brand-name Xifaxan and generic rifaximin from a Canadian pharmacy with a valid prescription.

What affects the cost of Xifaxan?

Several factors determine the final cost of Xifaxan or rifaximin:

• Tablet strength: 550 mg tablets cost more per tablet than 200 mg tablets.
• Brand vs. generic: Generic rifaximin costs less per tablet than brand-name Xifaxan.
• Quantity ordered: Larger quantities lower the cost per tablet.
• Insurance coverage: Patients without insurance typically pay full retail pricing in the U.S.
• Pharmacy pricing structure: Canadian pharmacies generally charge lower prices than U.S. retail pharmacies.

Is Xifaxan an IBS medication?

Yes. Xifaxan is approved for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea in adults.

In addition to IBS with diarrhea, Xifaxan is also approved to treat travelers’ diarrhea caused by noninvasive strains of Escherichia coli in patients 12 years of age and older, and to reduce the risk of recurrent overt hepatic encephalopathy in adults.