IBS Medications: Antispasmodics and Symptom Management Categories
IBS medications: antispasmodics (Buscopan, mebeverine, peppermint oil), loperamide for IBS-D, fiber for IBS-C, rifaximin for SIBO, plus low-FODMAP diet and strain-specific probiotics.
Main medication categories for managing IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) symptoms: Antispasmodics: Reduce intestinal muscle spasms and cramping. Examples include: - Hyoscine butylbromide (Buscopan): anticholinergic, reduces gut motility - Mebeverine (Duspatalin): direct smooth muscle relaxant, fewer systemic side effects - Peppermint oil capsules (enteric-coated): natural antispasmodic, must be enteric-coated to avoid heartburn Other IBS management categories: - Loperamide (Imodium): for IBS-D (diarrhea-predominant), slows gut transit - Fiber supplements: for IBS-C (constipation-predominant), bulk-forming - Rifaximin (Xifaxan): Gut-Targeted Antibiotic for IBS-D: gut-targeted antibiotic for IBS-D with SIBO component - Low-FODMAP diet (see topic:Health): eliminates fermentable carbohydrates that trigger symptoms - Probiotics: strain-specific evidence varies widely Goal: Suppress overactive intestinal activity enough to enable normal daily functioning without complete gut suppression.