Here are the basics about each of the medicines below. Only the most common problems are listed. Use each of these as advised by your doctor or the booklet they came with. Call your care team with any questions.
Medicines are used to treat certain problems. There are many types that may be helpful. Some may be used with others.
5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) Antagonists and Agonists
Common names:
These may quiet digestion and ease painful bowel spasms. Problems with these are mild when taken as advised.
Some problems are:
Common names are:
These slow the intestines to ease diarrhea.
Some problems are:
Common names:
Some antidepressants may ease intestinal spasms. They can be used in those who have depression linked to IBS.
Some problems are:
Common name: Alosetron
Alosetron is used to treat diarrhea. It can also help with other IBS problems, such as belly pain.
Some problems are:
Common names:
Antibiotics may be used to treat IBS problems, such as bloating and diarrhea.
Some problems are:
Miscellaneous Medicines
Common name: Lubiprostone
This medicine may help people who have constipation but have not been helped by using fiber.
Some problems are:
Common name: Linaclotide
May be used to increase the amount of fluid in the bowel.
Some problems are:
Common names:
Fiber comes from the woody parts of plants and seeds that we cannot digest. It helps the intestines work better. Slowly increase your fiber intake. Be sure to drink plenty of water when taking it. Some types of fiber work better than others. Your doctor will help you find the one that is right for you.
Some problems are:
Common names are:
Common name: Simethicone
Simethicone helps break up big gas bubbles into smaller gas bubbles. These can pass more easily without stretching the bowel wall as much. Cramps are often due to bowel wall stretching.
Some problems are:
Common names are:
Probiotics are healthy bacteria. They can be found in foods like yogurt or taken as a supplement. A blend may be more helpful than just one. Some have found that probiotics help ease belly pain and other problems of IBS. Talk to your doctor about adding probiotics to your diet.
Gas and bloating are the most common problems. It is often mild and does not last long.
When taking medicine:
Ford AC, Lacy BE, Talley NJ. Irritable bowel syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(26):2566-2578.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113627/Irritable-bowel-syndrome-IBS. Updated September 10, 2018. Accessed August 15, 2019.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs/irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs. Updated April 2019. Accessed August 15, 2019.
Probiotics for irritable bowel syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T474265/Probiotics-for-irritable-bowel-syndrome. Updated August 11, 2017. Accessed August 15, 2019.
Last reviewed August 2019 by EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD