Researchers Identify Drugs with Fewest Side-Effects for Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Newswise Los Angeles, (Embargoed Until March 26, 2012) Cedars-Sinai researchers have determined that two prevalent drug therapies rifaximin and lubiprostone offer some of the best options for treating irritable bowel syndrome, a widespread disorder that affects up to one in five Americans. The findings, based on an analysis of more than two dozen large-scale clinical trials, are contained in a peer-reviewed study published online by The American Journal of Medicine and set to appear in the publications April print edition.

Patients with irritable bowel syndrome often experience abdominal pain or cramps, excess gas or bloating and visible abdominal distension. Many drug therapies cause troubling side effects of their own, including nausea, insomnia, palpitations and decreased appetite.

For the millions of patients who suffer from IBS, effective treatment options have been very scarce, said Dr. Mark Pimentel, a lead author of the study and director of Cedars-Sinais Gastrointestinal Motility Program.

Pimentel and the other researchers analyzed common treatments for IBS.

For diarrhea forms of the condition, they evaluated tricyclic antidepressants; alosetron, a drug that slows movement of stool in the gut; and rifaximin, an antibiotic that stays in the gut and is currently FDA-approved to treat travelers diarrhea and hepatic encephalopathy.

For constipation forms of IBS, the researchers examined antidepressants known as serotonin reuptake inhibitors and lubiprostone, a drug that promotes gut secretion.

The research found striking differences:

For every 2.3 patients who benefited from tricyclic antidepressants, one suffered harmful side effects and had to stop taking the medication.

For every 2.6 patients helped by alosetron, one had to halt the drug.

By contrast, for every 846 patients aided by rifaximin, one had to discontinue the medication.

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Researchers Identify Drugs with Fewest Side-Effects for Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome