IBS medications target specific symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, or cramping, including over-the-counter options like loperamide (Imodium) for diarrhea or fiber supplements/laxatives (Miralax, Milk of Magnesia) for constipation, alongside prescription drugs like antispasmodics (dicyclomine) for cramps, lubiprostone/linaclotide for IBS-C, and alosetron/rifaximin for IBS-D. Antidepressants (TCAs, SSRIs) can also help pain by modulating nerve signals, and probiotics may offer some benefit, though specific strains/doses vary.
Medicines specifically for IBS
IBS medicines from a GP
If pharmacy medicines are not helping with your symptoms of IBS, a GP may prescribe a stronger medicine, such as: amitriptyline. citalopram.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive disorder that causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas or a combination of the above. IBS occurs in people of all ages, including children. Some children may have diarrhea as a dominant symptom, while others may have constipation as a dominant symptom.
Pain in the left shoulder doesn't exactly sound like an IBS symptom, but the fact is, it's not uncommon to experience shoulder pain when dealing with IBS.
IBS pain often starts in the lower abdomen but can also show up in the back, chest, head, jaw, or rectum because of a sensitive gut-brain axis. Oversensitive gut nerves can turn normal digestion and gas into cramping, bloating, and sharp pains that flare after meals or during stress.
Treating IBS during pregnancy focuses on dietary changes, stress management, and gentle exercise, working closely with your doctor, as many typical IBS medications aren't safe. Key strategies include eating small, frequent meals, increasing soluble fiber slowly (like psyllium), staying hydrated, and avoiding common triggers like caffeine, gas-producing veggies (broccoli, beans), artificial sweeteners, and fatty/spicy foods. Stress-reduction techniques and light activity, such as walking, are also crucial for managing symptoms.
Main symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
bloating – your tummy may feel uncomfortably full and swollen. diarrhoea – you may have watery poo and sometimes need to poo suddenly. constipation – you may strain when pooing and feel like you cannot empty your bowels fully.
Most people with IBS develop their first symptoms before the age of 40, with many patients recalling the onset of symptoms during childhood or young adulthood. There appears to be a familial component, as many IBS patients report having a family member with similar symptoms.
Gastroenterologists diagnose IBS by understanding your history and ordering tests to make sure that other problems, like inflammation, infection or cancer, aren't causing your symptoms. For example, to rule out celiac disease, you may have a blood test.
What is the best bread for IBS sufferers? Sourdough bread and gluten-free bread are the best types of bread for people with IBS. The lengthy fermentation process used to make traditional sourdough bread reduces the amount of fructans, which are the kind of carbohydrates in bread that cause IBS symptoms.
Due to its properties, rifaximin was subsequently examined for treatment of IBS. The first study examining the use of rifaximin in IBS was a 2-center, randomized, controlled study of 87 subjects. This study demonstrated that rifaximin was superior to placebo for improving IBS after only 10 days of treatment.
DICYCLOMINE (dye SYE kloe meen) treats irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It works by relaxing the muscles of your stomach and bowel, which reduces cramping. It belongs to a group of medications called antispasmodics.
Lifestyle and home remedies
Conditions whose symptoms may be mistaken for IBS include: Celiac disease: While celiac disease may cause constipation, diarrhea, pain and bloating, it often also has symptoms unrelated to digestion, such as fatigue, joint pain or a rash.
IBS can develop after a severe bout of diarrhea caused by bacteria or a virus. This is called gastroenteritis. IBS also might be associated with a surplus of bacteria in the intestines, known as bacterial overgrowth. Early-life stress.
It has since been found that 82% of IBS sufferers are also low in vitamin D (less than 20 ng/mL)2 so naturally we come to question if there is a link between vitamin D and IBS symptoms. The University of Sheffield has been spearheading this important area of research.
There's no test for IBS, but you might need some tests to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. The GP may arrange: a blood test to check for problems like coeliac disease. tests on a sample of your poo to check for infections and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
When you ignore IBS, it can wreak havoc on your life. Unmanaged IBS can contribute to frequent and sudden changes in your bowel habits, which can be frustrating and embarrassing whether you're at home or at work.
IBS and diverticulitis cause symptoms that affect the digestive system. They may share some symptoms, such as constipation and diarrhea. However, unlike IBS, diverticulitis can cause fever, chills, and vomiting. It may also cause more sudden and severe pain than IBS.
Anti-anxiety medications help reduce anxiety that can worsen IBS symptoms. Physicians occasionally prescribe anti-anxiety drugs such as diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan) and clonazepam (Klonopin) for people with short-term anxiety that is worsening their IBS.
However, as far as we know, IBS has only a minor (if any) effect on fertility. One study in the United Kingdom looked at the pregnancies of a large group of women. Within that group, the women with IBS had a slightly higher rate of miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy than those without (Khashan et al., 2012):
If you work and are living with IBS, you may have needed to take time off when your symptoms have been particularly severe. Travelling to and from work and to meetings can be very challenging too.