Objectives: To compare Rifaxamin and Lactulose in improving the gradesof hepatic encephalopathy in patients with decompensated liver disease. Study design:Randomized controlled trial comparing the use of rifaxamin and Lactulose. Place and durationof study: 1st July 2014 to 30th June 2015 in Department of Medicine, Aziz Bhatti ShaheedTeaching Hospital Gujarat. Results: 1st July 2014 to 30th June 2015 in medical departmentof Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital Gujarat. Results: 400 cases were divided in twoequal groups: Group A took Rifaximin & Group B Lactulose. Improvement in grades of hepaticencephalopathy were calculated on weekly bases. Monitoring was done by checking bloodammonia levels, number connection tests, flapping tremors and mental status. 40 patients(10%) did not stay in ward for one week. In ninety percent etiology of decompensated liverdisease was hepatitis C virus. Improvement was noted in 76.96% (n=137) in Group-A and72.52% (n=132) in Group-B, p value was found insignificant (>0.05). Conclusions: Rifaximinand lactulose had similar efficacy in the treatment of mild to moderate hepatic encephalopathy.
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