Salix Pharmaceuticals reported second quarter earnings late today that beat Wall Street estimates, and the company also said it would continue its efforts to get its best-selling drug Xifaxan approved for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Revenue for the three-month period ended June 30 was $133.2 million, up 42 percent from the same period a year ago. That was slightly above the consensus of $130 million Wall Street analysts estimated.

The Raleigh company reported net income of $33.8 million, or 54 cents per share, excluding one-time charges.

Salix, which sells drugs to treat gastrointestinal ailments, is one of a handful of drug-development companies in the Triangle with medicines approved for patients' use.

Xifaxan is approved to treat travelers' diarrhea and hepatic encephalopathy, a rare liver condition.

Xifaxan revenue for the second quarter was $87 million, up 20 percent from the same period a year ago.