Rifaximin (Xifaxan) is an expensive drug used to treat traveler's diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. It is also used to prevent hepatic encephalopathy, a brain disorder that can occur due to severe liver disease. This drug is more popular than comparable drugs. There are currently no generic alternatives to Xifaxan.
I recommend to patients over age 50thst they consider doing Pap smears every three years. If they are over age 65 with no history of cervical cancer can stop having Pap smears. Women without a cervix and no previous history of cervical cancer can stop having Pap smears done following a hysterectomy. So, to answer your question, I would advise a 73 year old woman in good health with no prior history of cervical cancer and low risk factors for STD infection to stop having Pap smears.
So the old recommendation of when to begin Pap smear testing has changed. This testing should start either at age 21 or three years after the start of sexual activity. (âPrematureâ Pap smears can pick up minimal changes that wonât result in cancer, but will cause concern and lead to extensive, unnecessary testing.). So, for a young teenager who is not sexually active, her first visit to a gynecologist need not include a Pap smear. But other important health issues should be addressed at this critical juncture between adolescence and adulthood.