Frequently Asked Questions About DIFICID® (fidaxomicin)
For answers to questions you may have, select any of the topics below. To see a complete list of Q&As, scroll down.
DIFICID®
(fidaxomicin) 200 mg tablets, for oral use
For answers to questions you may have, select any of the topics below. To see a complete list of Q&As, scroll down.
DIFICID is a macrolide antibacterial drug indicated in adult and pediatric patients 6 months of age and older for treatment of Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD).
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of DIFICID and other antibacterial drugs, DIFICID should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by C. difficile.
The recommended dose of DIFICID for adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 12.5 kg and able to swallow tablets is one 200 mg tablet orally twice daily for 10 days, with or without food. The recommended dosage of the oral suspension in pediatric patients (weighing at least 4 kg) is weight-based and is twice daily for 10 days.
Yes. Your eligible, privately insured patients may save on their out-of-pocket prescription costs for DIFICID, paying as little as $50 per prescription on each of up to 4 qualifying prescriptions for either up to 20 tablets or one bottle of DIFICID Oral Suspension. Maximum savings is $3,400 per prescription.
The coupon is not valid for patients who are uninsured or patients with Medicare or other Government Program insurance. Not all patients are eligible. Certain restrictions apply. Tell your eligible, privately insured patients to visit DIFICID.com to review the Terms and Conditions.
Your patients can visit DIFICID.com to request a coupon, and if eligible, activate and bring to their pharmacy along with their prescription.
Also, eligible health care professionals may request coupons for DIFICID for use with their appropriate patients.
DIFICID was studied in adults vs vancomycin in two phase 3 trials. To view the study design and clinical end points, click the link below.
Possible relevant ICD-10 codes for DIFICID
The above codes may be potentially relevant when billing for DIFICID and its administration. Consult the relevant manual and/or other guidelines for a description of each code to determine the appropriateness of its use and for information on additional codes. Diagnosis codes should be selected only by a health care professional. Please consult with the applicable payer to understand the payer’s specific billing requirements. This information is subject to change.
You are solely responsible for determining the appropriate codes and for any action you take in billing. The information provided here is not intended to be definitive or exhaustive, and is not intended to replace the guidance of a qualified professional advisor. Merck and its agents make no warranties or guarantees, expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy or appropriateness of this information for your particular use given the frequent changes in public and private payer billing. The use of this information does not guarantee payment or that any payment received will cover your costs.
View excerpts from the 2021 IDSA/SHEA clinical practice guidelines for
adult patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI)
IDSA, Infectious Diseases Society of America
SHEA, Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America
View excerpts from 2021 ACG clinical guidelines for patients with
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI)
2021 ACG, American College of Gastroenterology
DIFICID is bactericidal therapy that targets
Clostridioides difficile.
DIFICID has been shown to be active against most isolates of
C. difficile, both in vitro and in clinical infections.
DIFICID is a macrolide antibacterial drug indicated in adult and pediatric patients 6 months of age and older for treatment of Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD).
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain the effectiveness of DIFICID and other antibacterial drugs, DIFICID should be used only to treat infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by C. difficile.