A number of different medications are used to help treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These are:
1. Antispasmodic medicines, which help to reduce abdominal pain and cramping,
2. Laxatives, which help to treat the symptoms of constipation,
3. Antimotility medicines, which help to treat the symptoms of diarrhoea, and
4. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), which were originally designed to treat depression, but also help to reduce the feeling of abdominal pain and cramping.

There is also a medicine called Kolanticon, which contains an antispasmodic drug and three other ingredients. The other ingredients are simeticone, which relieves trapped wind, and two different antacids, which reduce stomach acid and treat heartburn. Kolanticon is available from your pharmacy without prescription.

Antispasmodic medicines
Antispasmodic medicines work by helping to relax the muscles in your digestive system. Examples of antispasmodic medicines include mebeverine and therapeutic peppermint oil.

Side effects of antispasmodic medicines are uncommon. However, people taking peppermint oil can sometimes experience occasional heartburn and irritation on the area of skin around their anus (back passage).

Antispasmodic medicines are not recommended for use by pregnant women.

Laxatives
The type of laxative known as a bulk-forming laxative is usually recommended for people who are experiencing irritable bowel syndrome-related constipation. Bulk-forming laxatives work by making your stools denser and softer, which means that they should be easier to pass.

It is important to drink plenty of fluids when using a bulk-forming laxative because this will prevent the laxative causing an obstruction in your digestive system.

You should start on a low dose, and if necessary increase it every few days until one or two soft, formed stools are produced every one or two days. You should not take a bulk-forming laxative immediately before going to bed.

Side effects of taking laxatives can include bloating and flatulence (wind). However, side effects can usually be avoided or reduced by gradually increasing the dose.

Antimotility medicines
The antimotility medicine known as loperamide is usually recommended for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome-related diarrhoea. Loperamide works by slowing the contractions of the muscles in the intestines which, in turn, slows how fast food passes through your digestive system. This allows more time for your stools (faeces) to harden and solidify.

Side effects of loperamide include:
• abdominal cramps,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• skin rashes,
• bowel obstruction, and
• abdominal bloating.

Loperamide is not recommended for use by pregnant women.

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are usually recommended if antispasmodic medicines have failed to control your symptoms of abdominal pain and cramping. TCAs work by relaxing the muscles in your digestive system.

Side effects of TCAs include:
• constipation,
• dry mouth,
• drowsiness, and
• fatigue.

Due to their potential to cause drowsiness and fatigue, you may be advised to take TCAs before going to bed. You should not drive, or operate heavy machinery, if you are experiencing drowsiness.

If you fail to respond to TCAs, an alternative antidepressant, known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) may be recommended for you.

Related Articles:

1. Digest­ive dis­order: Irrit­able bowel syn­drome
2. Dia­gnos­ing Irrit­able bowel syn­drome — IBS
3. Non-medicine based treat­ment for irrit­able bowel syn­drome
4. Liv­ing with Irrit­able bowel syn­drome
5. Real life exper­i­ence of irrit­able bowel syn­drome
6. What is a digest­ive dis­order?

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