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.

1 - 74 . (canceled) 
     
     
         75 . A method of reducing the risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in a subject, comprising administering about 1100 mg of rifaximin daily to the subject, wherein the subject has had two or more HE episodes within 12-months prior to the administration of rifaximin. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein the rifaximin is administered orally. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 75 , wherein the 550 mg of rifaximin is administered twice daily. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 75 , further comprising administering lactulose. 
     
     
         79 . A method of reducing the risk of overt hepatic encephalopathy (HE) recurrence in a subject, comprising administering 550 mg of rifaximin twice a day to the subject for a period of at least 6 months, wherein the subject has had two or more HE episodes within 12-months prior to the administration of rifaximin. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 79 , wherein the rifaximin is administered orally. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 79 , further comprising administering lactulose.