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Medications for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Other names: IBS; Spastic colon

Managing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), also known as spastic colon, involves tailoring treatments to specific symptoms: 

Always consult with your doctor to determine the most effective IBS treatment for your specific condition.

Drugs used to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
dicyclomine 7.4 278 reviews for dicyclomine to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx B N X
Generic name:
dicyclomine systemic
Brand name:
Bentyl
Drug class:
anticholinergics/antispasmodics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Bentyl 7.3 134 reviews for Bentyl to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx B N X
Generic name:
dicyclomine systemic
Drug class:
anticholinergics/antispasmodics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
hyoscyamine 7.8 96 reviews for hyoscyamine to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx C N X
Generic name:
hyoscyamine systemic
Brand names:
Levsin, Levsin SL, Anaspaz, Levbid, NuLev, Symax Duotab, Ed-Spaz, Hyosyne, Oscimin, Symax SL, Symax SR
Drug class:
anticholinergics/antispasmodics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Linzess 8.5 2 reviews for Linzess to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx C N
Generic name:
linaclotide systemic
Drug class:
guanylate cyclase-C agonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
amitriptyline Off-label 8.6 153 reviews for amitriptyline to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx C N X
Generic name:
amitriptyline systemic
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Donnatal 9.7 46 reviews for Donnatal to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx C N X
Generic name:
atropine / hyoscyamine / phenobarbital / scopolamine systemic
Drug class:
anticholinergics/antispasmodics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Amitiza Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
lubiprostone systemic
Drug class:
chloride channel activators
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Librax 8.9 63 reviews for Librax to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx D N X
Generic name:
chlordiazepoxide / clidinium systemic
Drug class:
anticholinergics/antispasmodics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
chlordiazepoxide / clidinium 8.9 75 reviews for chlordiazepoxide / clidinium to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx D N X
Generic name:
chlordiazepoxide / clidinium systemic
Brand name:
Librax
Drug class:
anticholinergics/antispasmodics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
cholestyramine Off-label 8.8 115 reviews for cholestyramine to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx C N
Generic name:
cholestyramine systemic
Drug class:
bile acid sequestrants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
escitalopram Off-label 7.5 23 reviews for escitalopram to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx C N X
Generic name:
escitalopram systemic
Drug class:
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Levsin 6.5 16 reviews for Levsin to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx C N X
Generic name:
hyoscyamine systemic
Drug class:
anticholinergics/antispasmodics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Levsin SL 9.8 6 reviews for Levsin SL to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx C N X
Generic name:
hyoscyamine systemic
Drug class:
anticholinergics/antispasmodics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Lotronex Rate Add review Rx B N
Generic name:
alosetron systemic
Drug class:
serotoninergic neuroenteric modulators
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Xifaxan Rate Add review Rx C N
Generic name:
rifaximin systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antibiotics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
atropine / hyoscyamine / phenobarbital / scopolamine 9.5 54 reviews for atropine / hyoscyamine / phenobarbital / scopolamine to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx C N X
Generic name:
atropine / hyoscyamine / phenobarbital / scopolamine systemic
Brand names:
Donnatal, Phenohytro
Drug class:
anticholinergics/antispasmodics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Metamucil 7.4 26 reviews for Metamucil to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome OTC N N
Generic name:
psyllium systemic
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
nortriptyline Off-label 8.2 62 reviews for nortriptyline to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx N N X
Generic name:
nortriptyline systemic
Drug class:
tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
venlafaxine Off-label 8.2 18 reviews for venlafaxine to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx C N X
Generic name:
venlafaxine systemic
Drug class:
serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
psyllium 7.4 37 reviews for psyllium to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome OTC N N
Generic name:
psyllium systemic
Brand names:
Metamucil, Hydrocil, Natural Fiber Therapy
Drug class:
laxatives
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Viberzi Rate Add review Rx 4 X
Generic name:
eluxadoline systemic
Drug class:
peripheral opioid receptor mixed agonists/antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Anaspaz 2.0 1 review for Anaspaz to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx C N X
Generic name:
hyoscyamine systemic
Drug class:
anticholinergics/antispasmodics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Levbid Rate Add review Rx C N X
Generic name:
hyoscyamine systemic
Drug class:
anticholinergics/antispasmodics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
doxepin Off-label 8.2 7 reviews for doxepin to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx N N X
Generic name:
doxepin systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, tricyclic antidepressants
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
alosetron 7.0 6 reviews for alosetron to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome Rx B N
Generic name:
alosetron systemic
Brand name:
Lotronex
Drug class:
serotoninergic neuroenteric modulators
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Alternative treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Learn more about Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.