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.
A Patricia Geraghty, NP, Advanced Practice Nursing, answered. A woman over 30 years old, who has had normal pap smears and negative HPV tests, should continue to have pap smears every 5 years. She may stop having pap smears at age 65. If a woman has had abnormal pap smears or is HPV positive, or has high risk conditions such as diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure or HIV positive, she will need pap smears or other testing as determined in discussion with her health care provider.