Treatments of IBS

There is no cure for IBS suffers at this present time. Nevertheless, if you are experiencing bad symptoms of IBS, your healthcare provider may prescribe you with some medicine to help you to manage IBS.

Medication may include:

• Antispasmodic medicines are sometimes used to treat symptoms of IBS. There are two types one is dicyclomine (Bemote, Bentyl, Di-Spaz) this is prescribed to reduce cramping if you main symptom is pain and the other is hyoscyamine ( Levsin, Levbid, NuLev), this is prescribes to help with relaxations of spasm occurring in the colon. It should be notes that there are side effects in taking these medicines.
• Antidiarrheal medications, such as loperamide (Imodium), a kaolin/pectin preparation ( Kaopectate), and diphenoxylate/atropine (Lomotil), are used for frequent diarrhea, but are not recommended for long-term basis without consulting your healthcare provider.
• Small doses of antidepressants may also be very effective than those typically used to treat depression if your symptoms are severe and you are feeling depressed. They may include Imipramine (Tofranil), amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and desipramine (Norpramin).

The following a newer medications on the market. They are typically reserved for patients with symptoms that do not improve with the above treatments:

• For short-term treatment of women with IBS when constipation is the main symptom, Tegaserod (Zelnorm) maybe use. This kind of medication helps to stimulate the digestive tract by maintaining movement, hence, decreasing the risk of development constipation. This medication is taken 30 minutes before your morning and evening meal, twice daily for 4 to 6 weeks. Your therapy may require another 4 to 6 weeks if results are favorable, but this entirely up to your healthcare provider. Always remember if new or pain worsening in the abdominal area or diarrhea occurs contact your healthcare provider immediately for medical advice.

(Please noted: Studies in the safety and efficiency in men taking tregaserod has not been sufficiently completed. Therefore, this medication for treatment of IBS in men has not been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).)

• Another short-term treatment for women?s who suffers of IBS is alosetron (Lotronex). This medication is used to treat severe, chronic, diarrhea-predominant IBS suffers who have failed to respond to conventional IBS therapy. Less than 8% of people who suffers from severe IBS and a very small percentage suffers from severe IBS who are diarrhea-predominant type. As with tegaserod, the safely and efficiency of alosetron has not been sufficiently completed in men. Therefore, the FDA has not approved the use of this medication in men for treatment of IBS.

All medication have their side effects, so use as directed by your healthcare provider. Otherwise, you could become dependent on them.