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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Self Help and Support Group
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome Medications and Drugs

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The IBS Self Help and Support Group cannot provide direct medical advice. If you have a digestive disorder then you should consult a healthcare professional. We are not able to offer medical, pharmaceutical or nutritional advice. Our highest priority is to raise awareness and to provide support for this illness. FDA Drug Safety Information for Patients and Health Care Professionals.

Medication Class Examples Dosage Principal indication Comment
Antispasmodics Hyoscyamine 0.125 - 0.25 mg ac&hs Pain,
post-
prandial urgency		 Xerostomia, urinary retention, tachycardia, and other anticholinergic side effects can be seen
Dicyclomine 10 - 20 mg ac&hs
Antidiarrheals Loperamide 2 - 4 mg up to qid Diarrhea,
urgency, incontinence		 Considerable variation in required dose; prophylactic use may reduce social anxiety; can induce constipation
Fiber supplements Psyllium 1 Tbs up to tid Constipation May initially induce bloating and flatulence; gradually increase dose
Methylcellulose 1 Tbs. up to tid
Calcium
Polycarbophil		 2 caplets (1250 mg) up to qid
Tricyclic antidepressants Secondary
amines (e.g., nortriptyline,
desipramine)		 25 - 125 mg daily (usually at hs) Pain, other discomforts Fewer CNS and anticholinergic side effects and less sedation, orthostatic hypotension&weight gain with secondary amines; start low and work up to target dosage
Tertiary
amines
(e.g., amitriptyline,
imipramine)		 25 - 125 mg daily (usually at hs)
Newer antidepressants SSRIs (e.g., fluoxetine, paroxetine) Usual psychiatric dosing To treat
co-morbid
anxiety or depression;
can be used
for pain
management in patients who
fail or are
intolerant
to TCAs		 Transient exacerbation of nausea; diarrhea can occur with SSRIs; sleep disruption occurs with some agents
Others
(e.g., buproprion, venlafaxine)		 Usual psychiatric dosing
5-HT3 antagonist Alosetron 1/2-1 mg bid Pain,
urgency,
diarrhea in diarrhea-
predominant female patients		 May induce constipation requiring separate management
5-HT4 antagonist Tegaserod 6 mg bid Pain,
constipation in constipation-
predominant female patients		 May initially induce diarrhea
Chloride channel activator Lubiprostone 8 mg bid Pain,
constipation in constipation-
predominant female patients		 May experience nausea or diarrhea

Adapted from © American Digestive Health Foundation

 

 

Brand Name Active Ingredient Indication
Align bifidobacterium infantis 35624 probiotic that delivers "good" bacteria to your digestive system to relieve abdominal pain, bloating, urgency, constipation or diarrhea.
Amitriptyline   amitriptyline antidepressant - anticholinergic - lessen gut activity and secretions
Amitiza lubiprostone indicated for IBS-C or chronic idiopathic constipation
Benefiber partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) fiber bulking agent - grit-free, water soluble
Bentyl dicyclomine antispasmodic
Bentylol dicyclomine antispasmodic
Buscopan hyoscine (N-butylscopolamine) antispasmodic; abdominal discomfort and pain
Cilansetron 5-HT3 antagonist under investigation in Europe by Solvay Pharmaceutical for chronic diarrhea
Citrucel methylcellulose fiber bulking agent - smooth, non-gas forming
Colpermin enteric coated peppermint oil capsules symptomatic relief of abdominal pain and bloating associated with an irritable bowel (Not Available In USA or Canada)
Culturelle   Lactobacillus GG probiotics
Desipramine desipramine antidepressant - anticholinergic - lessen gut activity and secretions
Digestive Advantage IBS Ganeden Lactobacillus Cultures and amino acid probiotic which helps to provide relief of IBS symptoms.
Dicetel pinaverium bromide specifically for the treatment of IBS pain and intestinal discomfort (Not available in USA)
Donnatal belladonna/phenobarbital antispasmodic
Effexor venlafaxine antidepressant
Elavil amitriptyline antidepressant - anticholinergic - lessen gut activity and secretions
Equalactin calcium polycarbophil helps equalize the water balance in the intestines to relieve diarrhea
FiberChoice fructan chewable fiber supplement
Ibsacol   patented fatty acid ester compound specifically formulated for IBS and associated symptoms
Imodium loperamide anti-diarrhea - mild
Konsyl psyllium fiber Psyllium fiber is helpful to conditions such as constipation, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, diverticular disease
Kytril granisetron primarily used for the management of oncology related nausea and vomiting. Used for abdominal pain and diarrhea similiar to Lotronex.
Lactaid lactase dairy digestive supplement that works to make dairy foods more digestible
Levbid/Levsin hyoscyamine sulfate antispasmodic
Librax clidinium bromide tranquillizer for gut
Lomotil diphenoxylate + atropine sulfate Antidiarrheal, antiperistaltic
Lotronex alosetron reduces multiple symptoms of IBS-D, including cramping abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, urgency and diarrhea. (Restricted marketing in U.S. ONLY)
Maalox   antacid - also helps to break down gas
Maxeran metoclopramide upper gut regulator
Metamucil psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid high fiber bulking agent - smooth
Miralax polyethylene glycol 3350 laxative for occasional constipation
Modulon trimebutine maleate gastrointestinal tract regulator
Motilium domperidone maleate helps contractions and co-ordination of stomach and small intestine
Motofen difenoxin hydrochloride with atropine sulfate Antidiarrheal, antiperistaltic
NuLev hyoscyamine sulfate antispasmodic
Norpramin desipramine antidepressant - anticholinergic - lessen gut activity and secretions
Pamine methscopolamine bromide anticholinergic/antispasmodic
Paxil paroxetine antidepressant
Pepto-Bismol bismuth subsalicylate relief of diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, heartburn and upset stomach
Prilosec omeprazole blocks the formation of acid in the stomach
Perdiem/Prodiem psyllium high fiber bulking agent - semi-rough
Prepulsid/Propulsid cisapride moves food and fluid along in the upper GI. Used for GERD.(Withdrawn in U.S. on March 23, 2000, Canada on May 31, 2000)
Prozac fluoxetine antidepressant
Psyllium   high fiber bulking agent - smooth
Questran cholestyramine resin which absorbs and combines with the bile acids in the intestine to form an insoluble complex which is excreted in the feces
Remeron mirtazapine antidepressant
Renzapride 5-HT4 agonist and a 5-HT3 -antagonist under investigation by Alizyme for mixed IBS-C/D
Sinequan doxepin antidepressant - anticholinergic - lessen gut activity and secretions
Spasmonal alverine citrate antispasmodic which relaxes the smooth muscle in the colon
Tagamet cimetidine ulcer, acid suppressor
Tofranil imipramine antidepressant
Tums   antacid
Tylenol#1 acetaminophen w/codeine pain reliever - codeine is constipating
VSL #3 lactic acid bacteria high-potency probiotic with 450 billion live bacteria
Xanax   alprazolam used for the management of anxiety disorders or short-term symptomatic relief for excessive anxiety and/or panic attacks
Zantac ranitidine ulcer, acid suppressor
Xifaxan rifaximin antibiotic being studied to reduce symptoms of IBS.
Zelnorm (Zelmac) tegaserod treatment of IBS-C abdominal pain, bloating, discomfort and constipation and/or chronic idiopathic constipation. (Effective April 2, 2008 Zelnorm is only available to patients in the U.S. under emergency situations.)
Zofran ondansetron hydrochloride primarily used for the management of oncology related nausea and vomiting. Not effective in preventing motion-induced nausea and vomiting. Used for abdominal pain and diarrhea similiar to Lotronex.
Zoloft sertaline antidepressant

Compiled by © IBS Self Help and Support Group - http://www.ibsgroup.org

Legend:
Requires a physician's prescription
Requires a physician's prescription in some locations
Withdrawn from market
Investigational drug