Methods for treating bowel diseases

Abstract

The present invention provides new methods of treating bowel disease (BD) by increasing a durability of response; treating BD in males; treating BD in adolescent subjects; treating bloating due to BD in males; and methods of maintaining remission of BD.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of treating symptoms of diarrhea-associated Irritable Bowel Syndrome (dIBS) in a subject, said method comprising orally administering to the subject a dosage form comprising 550 mg of rifaximin three times per day for 14 days to the subject in need thereof, wherein said symptoms consist of diarrhea and one or more selected from the group consisting of cramping, abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, and frequent stool production. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is human. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the subject is an adult. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dosage form is a tablet. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dosage form comprises more than one rifaximin polymorph. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the dosage form comprises rifaximin alpha polymorph.