Irritable Bowel Syndrome (cont.)
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
In this Article
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) facts
- What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
- What causes irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
- What are symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
- What are the complications of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
- How is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diagnosed?
- How is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treated?
- Constipation medications
- Diarrhea medications
- Abdominal pain medications
- Psychotropic drugs
- Psychological treatments
- IBS Diet
- Is there a relationship between IBS and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth?
- What is a reasonable approach to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
- What is in the future for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
- Find a local Gastroenterologist in your town
Diarrhea medications
The most widely studied drug for the treatment of diarrhea in IBS is loperamide (Imodium). Loperamide appears to work by inhibiting (slowing down) the contractions of the muscles of the small intestine and colon. Loperamide is approximately 30% more effective than a placebo in improving symptoms in patients who have diarrhea as the predominant manifestation of their IBS. It is not clear if loperamide reduces abdominal pain. Loperamide can cause constipation. Therefore, the dose must be carefully adjusted and individualized for each patient. Alosetron (Lotronex) is used to treat diarrhea and abdominal discomfort that occurs in women with severe IBS that does not respond to other simpler treatments.
Alosetron, like tegaserod, affects the serotonin receptors. (See the discussion above of tegaserod.) Alosetron blocks the 5-HT3 receptor, a receptor that causes contractions when serotonin binds to it. Alosetron, by blocking 5-HT3 receptors, prevents serotonin from binding and thereby prevents contractions.
Alosetron was approved by the FDA in February 2000, but was withdrawn from the market in November, 2000, because of serious, life-threatening, gastrointestinal side effects. In June 2002, it was approved again by the FDA for marketing but in a restricted manner as part of a drug company-sponsored program for managing the risks associated with treatment. The use of alosetron is allowed only in women with severe, diarrhea-predominant, IBS who have failed to respond to conventional treatment for IBS.
The most common side effect with alosetron is constipation. One-quarter to one-third of patients may develop this side effect, but in only 10% (10 out of every 100 patients) will the drug need to be stopped temporarily or permanently.
A rare side effect with alosetron is severe intestinal inflammation caused by poor circulation of blood (ischemic colitis). This complication is life-threatening, may require surgery, and has even caused death in a small number of patients. Therefore, immediate medical attention should be sought if signs of ischemic colitis (rectal bleeding or a sudden worsening of abdominal pain) occur.
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