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IBS Drugs

There are a number of over the counter medicines and preparations that can be purchased without a prescription and for many people; these, along with some dietary and lifestyle changes may be enough to control the symptoms of IBS. In more severe cases, it may be necessary to have something prescribed by your doctor.

However, there isn’t a single drug that can be used to treat all types of IBS because IBS affects everyone in different ways and no two people will respond in the same way to the same treatment. It really becomes a case of finding out what helps you, and of course, dealing with the most troublesome symptom first so that you can obtain some relief.

Drugs for Treating Constipation

Constipation is characterised by infrequent bowel movements. Stools can be hard and difficult to pass. The most common drugs to treat constipation include:

Laxatives - Lactulose
Stool softeners – Liquid paraffin
5-HT4 receptor antagonists – Tegasarod

It is advisable to avoid the use of stimulant laxatives and stick to the milder Osmotic type laxatives instead as the harsher laxatives can increase abdominal spasms, cramping and pain.

Tegasarod is often prescribed as a short term treatment for constipation predominant IBS but may cause diarrhoea when you first start taking it.

Drugs for Treating Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea can be described as frequent bowel movements where the stools are soft, runny and loose. Mucous may also be present. The most common drugs used to treat diarrhoea include:

Anti diarrhoeal agents – Loperamide and Immodium. Immodium may help stop a severe case of diarrhoea. Loperamide can reduce the number of bowel movements performed and at the same time has a stool softening effect making bowel movements easier to pass
5-HT3 antagonises – Alosetron

Many treatments for diarrhoea can go the opposite way and cause constipation, Alosetron and Loperamide for example.

Drugs for Treating abdominal spasms and pain

Abdominal cramps, spasms and bloating are common features of IBS and apart from the obvious pain associated with these symptoms, which can often come on without warning, they can cause extreme distress and suffering for the individual. The most common drugs used to treat abdominal spasms and pain includes:

Smooth muscle relaxants – Mebeverine and Alverine
Tricyclic antidepressants – in a low dose they can help ease pain but are possibly more suited to diarrhoea predominant IBS due to the fact they have a tendency towards causing constipation

IBS in the long term

There is no cure for IBS and no quick fix treatment either so IBS is likely to persist on a long term basis or even for a lifetime. However, that doesn’t mean that the symptoms are present all the time, most people with IBS find that their symptoms come and go. Stress is known to exacerbate IBS symptoms so learning relaxation techniques and taking steps to minimise the amount of stress in your life can go a long way to helping you keep IBS under control.