A number of different medications are used to help treat IBS. These are: antispasmodic medicines, which help to reduce abdominal pain and cramping; laxatives, which help to treat the symptoms of constipation; antimotility medicines, which help to treat the symptoms of diarrhoea; antidepressants, such as tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; these were originally designed to treat depression but can also reduce abdominal pain and cramping.
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 with antispasmodic medicines are uncommon. But, people taking peppermint oil may have occasional heartburn and irritation on the area of skin around the anus. And antispasmodic medicines are not recommended for pregnant women.
Bulk-forming laxatives are the type of laxative often recommended for people who have IBS-related constipation. They work by making your stools denser and softer, which makes them easier to pass. It is important that you should drink plenty of fluids while using a bulk-forming laxative. This helps to prevent the laxative causing an obstruction in your digestive system.
You should start on a low dose. If necessary, increase it every few days until one or two soft stools are produced every one or two days. Do not take a bulk-forming laxative just before going to bed. Side effects of taking laxatives can include bloating and flatulence. But, the side effects can usually be avoided or reduced by gradually increasing the dose.
The antimotility medicine loperamide is usually recommended for treating IBS-related diarrhoea. It works by slowing the contractions of the muscles in the bowel, which slows down how quickly food passes through your digestive system. This allows more time for your stools to harden and solidify. Side effects include: abdominal cramps, dizziness, drowsiness, skin rashes, bowel obstruction, and abdominal bloating. Loperamide is not recommended for use by pregnant women.
Tricyclic antidepressants are usually recommended in cases of IBS where antispasmodic medicines have failed to control symptoms of abdominal pain and cramping. These medicine work by relaxing the muscles in your digestive system. Common side effects of amitriptyline include: slight blurring of vision, constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth, problems passing urine, and sweating.
Avoid driving or operating machinery if you experience drowsiness or blurred vision after taking amitriptyline. The side effects ease after seven to ten days as your body gets used to the medication. However, if the side effects continue or become particularly troublesome, you should inform your general practitioner because it may be possible to switch to a different tricyclic antidepressants that may suit you better.
There have been reports of people suddenly having thoughts of hurting or killing themselves when taking amitriptyline. If this happens to you, contact your general practitioner or go to your nearest hospital immediately. It may be helpful to tell a friend or relative that you are taking amitriptyline and to ask them to tell you if they notice changes in your behaviour or if they are worried about the way you are acting.
If you fail to respond to tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are an alternative antidepressant that may be recommended. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors that are used to treat IBS include: citalopram, fluoxetine, and paroxetine. Common side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors include: blurred vision, diarrhoea or constipation, dizziness, dry mouth, feeling agitated or shaky, insomnia or feeling very sleepy, loss of appetite, and sweating.
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