Double-blind, double-dummy comparison between treatment andwith rifaximin and lactulose in patients with medium to severe patients with medium to severe

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Abstract
SummaryFifty-eight patients, 30 males and 28 females, aged between 42 and 60 years I mean age 57 years) suffering from cirrhosis of the liver with signs and symptoms of portosystemic encephalopathy were studied. The double-blind study was performed according to a double-dummy experimental design, comparing the antibiotic rifaximin, administered at a dose of 1200 mg/day, with lactulose, administered at a dose of 30 g/day, both for 15 days. At the end of the treatment with the two drugs, there was a significant improvement in the main symptoms of portosystemic encephalopathy (mental state, asterixis, A' cancellation test, Reitan test). The improvement, which was also confirmed by a reduction in the overall score attributed to the degree of portosystemic encephalopathy was undoubtedly correlated with the reduction in the levels of serum ammonia concentrations, recorded after only 3 days of treatment. Tolerability of the treatment with rifaximin was decidedly higher with respect to lactulose. The greater rapi...