Rifaximin plus lactulose versus lactulose alone for reducing the risk of HE recurrence.

BACKGROUND:The aim was to examine rifaximin plus lactulose efficacy in patients with cirrhosis at a risk of developing overt HE who were stratified by important baseline characteristics such as comorbid ascites or diabetes. METHODS:Pooled post hoc subgroup analysis of adults receiving rifaximin 550 mg twice daily plus lactulose or lactulose alone for 6 months in a phase 3 randomized, double-blind trial and a phase 4 open-label trial was conducted. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Rifaximin plus lactulose was more efficacious than lactulose alone for reducing the risk of overt HE recurrence and HE-related hospitalization in adults grouped by select baseline disease characteristics.