I took xifaxan (rifaximin) for sibo. it's been a week and a half since i finished and my lower gi hurts more. i can't work. could i have done permanent damage?

Not likely: Xifaxan (rifaximin) treats bacterial overgrowth in the gut, traveler's diarrhea , and can also be used to treat hepatic encephalopathy caused by liver disease. It stays in the gut, and is not absorbed into the bloodstream. It can cause c difficile associated diarrhea, which can be a serious problem. See your MD since you are worse. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-91340/xifaxan-oral/detail

Probably not: Xifaxin can help with certain forms of IBS; your trial of treatment has not worked; this does not mean that you have experienced any permanent damage as a result; consult with your GI doc once more; perhaps try a higher dose of amitriptylline, or some other approach;