Your Drug Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Options

Did you know that more than half of the people who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) don't seek treatment for their condition? They either do not realize they have it or they try to self-treat without guidance from a doctor. With more options of drug treatment for irritable bowel syndrome why wouldn't you seek professional help to ease your pain?

There are some over the counter medications that help alleviate some of the symptoms of IBS but you should not rely on them forever as they can lose their effectiveness over time or your symptoms may morph into something else. However, laxatives used sparingly can help with constipation and anti-diarrhea medications can, of course, help with diarrhea symptoms. There comes a point though when prescription drug treatment for irritable bowel syndrome becomes necessary.

Anti-Depressants and Anti-Spasmodics

Doctors will prescribe an anti-spasmodic first for your drug treatment for irritable bowel syndrome when your colon develops muscle spasms that cause pain. This class of drugs will lessen the severity of the spasms to reduce the level of abdominal pain you may experience. In addition, anti-depressants can also help alleviate pain by reducing your stress levels which contribute to abdominal pain too.

Miralax

For quite a long time, Miralax, a drug treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, was by prescription only. While it just passed approval for over the counter use, you may still have to ask the pharmacist for it as it is not always on the pharmacy shelves. Miralax is effective for IBS sufferers who have frequent constipation by preserving water in your stools which works to soften it thereby producing bowel movement with more regularity.

Zelnorm

Another drug treatment for irritable bowel syndrome is a prescription medication called Zelnorm and it works with patients who have constipation issues associated with the condition. This medication boost the action of a neurotransmitter called serotonin which exists in the digestive system. This drug treatment for irritable bowel syndrome works to speed up contractions of the colon so that your food can digest better and retain more fluids to prevent constipation.

It is important to note that some medications will have side effects that differ from person to person. For example, with Zelnorm, this medication is prescribed only to females less than 55 years of age and has no incidences of cardiovascular disease. Side effects are just a major potential drawback of any drug treatment for irritable bowel syndrome.