Details for Patent: 8,642,573

Title:	Methods of treating hepatic encephalopathy
Abstract:	The application describes treatment of hepatic encephalopathy using gastrointestinal specific antibiotics. One example of a gastrointestinal specific antibiotic is rifaximin. The instant application also provides methods for determining if a subject has a neurological condition or hepatic encephalopathy by determining the critical flicker frequency and/or the venous ammonia level of the subject at two or more time points. The invention further provides methods for treating these subjects.
Inventor(s):	Forbes; William (Raleigh, NC), Merchant; Kunal (Durham, NC), Bortey; Enoch (Chapel Hill, NC), Shaw; Audrey (Durham, NC)
Assignee:	Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd (Raleigh, NC)
Filing Date:	Jan 09, 2013
Application Number:	13/737,535
Claims:	1. A method of maintaining remission of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in a subject in need thereof comprising administering between about 1000 mg to about 1200 mg rifaximin daily to the subject for a period of 12 months or longer, thereby maintaining remission of HE. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising administering lactulose. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is identified as being in remission from HE prior to administration of rifaximin. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein rifaximin is administered to the subject for between about 12 to about 24 months. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein rifaximin is administered to the subject until death. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is administered about 1100 mg of rifaximin per day. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein 550 mg of rifaximin is administered to the subject two times per day (BID). 8. The method of claim 7, wherein remission is defined as a Conn score of 0 or 1.