Xifaxan (Rifaximin)
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Xifaxan (rifaximin) Policy Number: 5.01.745 Last Review: 06/2021 Origination: 06/2021 Next Review: 06/2022 Policy Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City (Blue KC) will provide coverage for Xifaxan (Rifaximin) when it is determined to be medically necessary because the criteria shown below are met. When Policy Topic is covered Xifaxan may be considered medically necessary for the following FDA Approved indications when criteria are met: FDA Approved Indications 1. Travelers' Diarrhea (TD). Approve 1 time only if patient meets the following: a. Diagnosis of travelers' diarrhea (TD); AND b. One of the following: i. Trial and failure of one of the following: • Zithromax (Azithromycin) • Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) • Levaquin (Levofloxacin) • Ofloxacin OR ii. Resistance, contraindication, or intolerance to all the following antibiotics: • Zithromax (Azithromycin) • Cipro (Ciprofloxacin) • Levaquin (Levofloxacin) • Ofloxacin 2. Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth (SBBO)/Small Intestinal Bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) (off-label). Approve for 3 months of Initial treatment if patient meets the following: a. Diagnosis of Small Bowel Bacterial Overgrowth (SBBO)/Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO); AND b. One of the following: i. Trial and failure of two of the following antibiotics: • Neomycin • Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) • Cipro (ciprofloxacin) • Bactrim (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) • Vibramycin (doxycycline) OR Minocin (minocycline) OR Tetracycline • Flagyl (metronidazole) • Keflex (Cephalexin) OR ii. Resistance, contraindication, or intolerance to all the following antibiotics: • Neomycin • Augmentin (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) • Cipro (ciprofloxacin) • Bactrim (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) • Vibramycin (doxycycline) OR Minocin (minocycline) OR Tetracycline • Flagyl (metronidazole) • Keflex (Cephalexin) Reauthorization. Approve for 3 months upon documentation of Positive clinical responses to therapy (e.g., resolution of symptoms or Relapse with Xifaxan discontinuation). 3. Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D). Approve for 2 weeks of initial treatment if patient meets the following: a. Diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D); AND b. Patient is 18 years of age or older; AND c. Trial and failure, contraindication, or intolerance to one of the following: i. Antispasmodic agent (e.g., dicyclomine, hyoscyamine) ii. Tricyclic antidepressant (amitriptyline) iii. Antidiarrheal agent (e.g., loperamie) Reauthorization. Approve for 2 weeks if patient experiences irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea symptom recurrence. 4. Prophylaxis of Hepatic Encephalopathy (HE) Recurrence. Approve for 1 year if patient meets the following: a. Used for prophylaxis of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence; AND b. Patient is 18 years of age or older; AND c. Two of the following: i. Used as add-on therapy to lactulose; AND ii. Patient is unable to achieve an optimal clinical response with lactulose monotherapy; OR iii. History of contraindication or intolerance to lactulose 5. Treatment of Hepatic Encephalopathy (Off-Label). Approve for 1 year if patient meets the following: a. Used for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy; AND b. Patient is 18 years of age or older; AND c. Two of the following: i. Used as add-on therapy to lactulose; AND ii. Patient is unable to achieve an optimal clinical response with lactulose monotherapy; OR iii. History of contraindication or intolerance to lactulose When Policy Topic is not covered Xifaxan is considered not medically necessary when the above criteria are not met and investigational for all other uses. Considerations Xifaxan requires prior authorization through the Clinical Pharmacy Department. This Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City policy statement was developed using available resources such as, but not limited to: Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approvals, Facts and Comparisons, National specialty guidelines, local medical policies of other health plans, Medicare (CMS), local providers. Description of Procedure or Service Xifaxan is an antibacterial commonly indicated for the cure of travelers’ diarrhea resulting from Escherichia coli in persons above the age of twelve (FDA, 2017). The drug is also indicated to reduce the risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy reappearance in adults and cure irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea in adults. Approval for the drug requires a patient to be diagnosed with travelers’ diarrhea or hepatic encephalopathy (FCHP, 2017). Under hepatic encephalopathy, the drug can also be approved if a patient is intolerant to disaccharides that cannot be absorbed. Approval for treating IBS requires a patient to be diagnosed with mild to severe irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) (FCHP, 2017). Patients should also have moderate pain in the abdomen and possibly bloating. Patients must also indicate to have a lack of tolerance to antispasmodic agents and antidepressants. Approval for the drug was based on successful trials that indicated a reduction of symptoms in patients. Disease Overview Travelers’ diarrhea is a disorder in the digestive tract that contributes significantly to loose stools and cramps in the abdomen. The disorder mainly results from the consumption of contaminated foods and water. Xifaxan effectively treats travelers’ diarrhea since it has poor oral absorption in the intestinal tract, thus high fecal concentration (Koo et al., 2009). Overt hepatic encephalopathy is a condition that results from the buildup of toxins in the brain due to liver failure in filtering toxins in the blood. To help reduce the likelihood of Overt hepatic encephalopathy recurring, Xifaxan helps to reduce enteric bacteria that contributes to a breakdown of amino acids (Flamm, 2011). This helps to reduce nitrogen compounds’ production which contribute to hepatic encephalopathy. IBS-D is a disorder in the intestines that contributes to pain and the stool being loose. In the treatment of IBS-D, Xifaxan helps to reduce the growth of bacterial and diarrhea (Khatri, 2020). The medication is taken for two weeks and can be prescribed twice if the symptoms do not disappear. Guidelines One of the guidelines in the use of Xifaxan is that patients being treated to reduce the risks of overt hepatic encephalopathy have to be eighteen years and above and must have undergone a lactulose trial (Medimpact, 2019). A patient who meets the criteria should be prescribed Xifaxan for twelve months, two tablets a day. For a patient with IBS-D to be prescribed Xifaxan, they have to be above the age of eighteen years and portray a lack of tolerance to antidepressants (Medimpact, 2019). In this case, the medication has to be prescribed by a gastroenterologist. For patients with travelers’ diarrhea, they have to be above the age of twelve and must have had a trial of oral azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and ofloxacin. Patients who meet the criteria receive a prescription for three days. Rationale Prior authorization is required to ensure the safe, clinically appropriate and cost effective use of Xifaxan while maintaining optimal therapeutic outcomes. References 1. “Flamm, S. L. (2011). Rifaximin treatment for reduction of risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy recurrence. Therapeutic advances in gastroenterology, 4(3), 199- 206.” 2. “FCHP (2017). Xifaxan (rifaximin) pharmacy prior authorization approval criteria. Fchp.org. (2017). Retrieved June 15, 2021, from https://www.fchp.org/providers/pharmacy/~/media/Files/FCHP/Imported/Xifaxan_ rifaximin.ashx.” 3. “FDA (2017). HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION. Retrieved June 15, 2021, from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/021361s023lbl.pdf” 4. “Khatri, M. (2020). What Is IBS-D? WebMD; WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/ibs/what-is-ibs-d” 5. “Koo, H. L., DuPont, H. L., & Huang, D. B. (2009). The role of rifaximin in the treatment and chemoprophylaxis of travelers’ diarrhea. Therapeutics and clinical risk management, 5, 841.” 6. “Medimpact (2019). Standard Commercial Drug Formulary Prior Authorization Guidelines. Retrieved June 15, 2021, from https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/static/health/en- us/pdfs/nw/NW_Xifaxan.pdf” Billing Coding/Physician Documentation Information N/A Pharmacy benefit Additional Policy Key Words N/A Policy Implementation/Update Information 06/2021 New policy titled Xifaxan (rifaximin) State and Federal mandates and health plan contract language, including specific provisions/exclusions, take precedence over Medical Policy and must be considered first in determining eligibility for coverage. The medical policies contained herein are for informational purposes. The medical policies do not constitute medical advice or medical care. Treating health care providers are independent contractors and are neither employees nor agents Blue KC and are solely responsible for diagnosis, treatment and medical advice. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, or otherwise, without permission from Blue KC. .