What is the best over-the-counter medicine for IBS?

Irritable bowel syndrome, also known as “IBS,” is a chronic health condition that can cause significant discomfort in your daily life. People who suffer from IBS experience frequent changes in their normal stooling pattern. In some subtypes of IBS, constipation predominates (IBS-C); in others, diarrhea is more common (IBS-D). Some people with IBS experience a mix of both constipation and diarrhea (IBS-M), and others have a more undefined condition (IBS-U). A medical practitioner can help you arrive at a diagnosis. But, regardless of the IBS subtype, you may be wondering what is the best over the counter medicine for IBS. Read on to learn more about using over-the-counter (OTC) medicine for irritable bowel syndrome.

When should you use over-the-counter medicine for IBS?

Over-the-counter medicine for IBS should be considered if you have a known diagnosis of IBS. However, it’s important to consult with a medical provider before taking OTC medicine for IBS. This is because many of the symptoms of IBS can also be caused by other conditions. A full examination, including a medical interview, physical exam, and potentially some laboratory testing or imaging, should help you rule out other conditions and arrive at an official diagnosis of IBS. Using an OTC medication for IBS can then help you keep symptoms at bay.

Different types of OTC meds for IBS

You may be wondering, “What can I take for IBS?” There are several different types of over-the-counter meds for IBS. Your particular subtype of IBS guides this kind of treatment—whether it is constipation, diarrhea, mixed or unclear. The following is a list of common over-the-counter IBS medications.

Stool softeners and laxatives

For constipation-type, mixed, or unclear IBS subtypes, a laxative or stool softener OTC medicine may be useful. The best over-the-counter medicine for IBS constipation is often a laxative. The most commonly recommended laxative for IBS is Miralax (polyethylene glycol). Experts note that this can be used daily to help regulate stools and improve constipation-type symptoms in IBS.

Antidiarrheal drugs

An antidiarrheal medication may be useful for a diarrhea-type, mixed, or unclear IBS subtype. Diarrhea often stems from the rapid passage of fluid through the gastrointestinal system, without enough reabsorption. The result is highly watery or loose stools. An antidiarrheal drug can help slow down digestion and encourage more reabsorption of fluid, therefore improving diarrheal symptoms. An antidiarrheal agent, such as Imodium (loperamide), is often recommended in IBS. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you take this medication before eating a meal.

Bile-acid binders

If an antidiarrheal agent such as loperamide is not controlling diarrheal symptoms well enough, a second-line medication type, known as a bile-acid binder, may be of use. Bile acid binders can help control diarrhea symptoms. However, they may also increase abdominal bloating symptoms or trigger constipation. It’s important to consider these medications with the help of a medical professional. Examples of bile-acid binders, or bile acid sequestrants, include:

• Welchol (Colesevelam)
• Cholestyramine

Antispasmodic medications

When you are experiencing pain and bloating with IBS, an antispasmodic agent can help control symptoms. Antispasmodic agents can help reduce the cramping and spasms associated with IBS. This can reduce symptoms of aching, throbbing, or stabbing of the gut by relaxing the muscles involved in the digestive process. Common antispasmodic agents include:

• Bentyl (Dicyclomine)
• Levsin (Hyoscyamine)

What is the best over-the-counter medicine for IBS?

What is the best OTC medication for IBS? The best medicine for you will depend on your particular subtype of IBS, as well as your other health history. Some medication types may interact with medications used to manage other health conditions, so it’s important to consult with your medical provider before starting IBS treatment over the counter. Below is a list of common medications used for IBS.

What is the best over-the-counter medicine for IBS belly pain?

If you’re experiencing belly pain or abdominal cramping, OTC medication for IBS may be useful. The most useful medication type may be an antispasmodic agent, as this can reduce the spasming and stabbing-type pain associated with IBS by relaxing the smooth muscle tissue. Common antispasmodic otc medicine for IBS includes Bentyl and Hyoscyamine.

What is the best over-the-counter medicine for IBS bloating?

If bloating is the symptom that plagues you the most with IBS, an over-the-counter antispasmodic agent may be useful. Medications such as Bentyl and Hyoscyamine can help with bloating and also help reduce the pain involved in an IBS flare.

What is the over-the-counter medicine for IBS diarrhea?

IBS treatment over the counter can help manage diarrhea symptoms, too. An antidiarrheal agent such as loperamide can increase the so-called “transit time” through the gastrointestinal tract, helping increase the reabsorption of water out of the gut and back into the bloodstream. This can reduce diarrheal symptoms.

How often can you take over-the-counter IBS medicines?

It’s important to take OTC medicine for IBS as recommended on the medication packaging. Overusing an IBS medication can lead to unwanted symptoms and side effects. You can take different medications with varying frequencies. For example, experts recommend taking Miralax once daily, whereas a medication such as Bentyl can be taken up to four times daily.

How to choose the right IBS OTC medication: 4 practical tips

Choosing the right IBS over-the-counter medication can be tough. Here are the top 4 tips for making a practical selection.

Tip 1: Consider your most pressing IBS symptom

The right OTC medicine for IBS should address your most predominant symptom of IBS. If, on most days, you struggle with constipation symptoms, you should select an IBS treatment over the counter that is targeted toward the treatment of this symptom. You should also avoid OTC IBS medications that have constipation as a side effect.

Tip 2: Optimize your IBS management when trialing a new medication

When trialing a new OTC medicine for IBS, make sure that you are also controlling your IBS with lifestyle changes as well. Lifestyle changes such as avoidance of trigger foods and exercise can help you assess the full extent of the medication, under the best possible conditions.

Tip 3: Take the medication consistently for a full trial

To get the most out of an over-the-counter IBS medication, make sure to use it exactly as indicated. This can help you decide if it helps you manage your symptoms optimally. For example, for diarrhea-type IBS, taking antidiarrheal medication 45 minutes before a meal can help you control symptoms better than waiting until after the meal.

Tip 4: Ask a healthcare provider to weigh in on OTC medicine for IBS

When choosing IBS over-the-counter medicine, you can also ask your healthcare provider for suggestions about what may be right for you. They may be able to guide you more thoroughly, based on an understanding of your full health picture.

Alternatives to OTC IBS meds and home remedies

There are a number of strategies and alternative remedies outside of OTC medicine for IBS that can also provide relief, including:

• Peppermint oil: This natural antispasmodic agent may be useful for IBS symptoms.
• Psyllium: This fiber supplement can help with IBS symptoms.
• Exercise: Increasing exercise may help lessen IBS symptoms.
• Low FODMAP diet: Following a specific diet that eliminates certain foods may help with IBS symptoms.
• Gluten avoidance: Following a specific diet that eliminates gluten may help with IBS symptoms.
• Probiotics: Using probiotics to help recolonize the gastrointestinal tract may help with IBS symptoms.
• Behavioral therapy: Focusing on the mind-gut connection with behavioral therapy may help control IBS symptoms.

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FAQs related to IBS medication available over the counter

Which IBS symptoms can you treat with OTC medication?

Many of the symptoms associated with IBS can be treated with over-the-counter medicine. These include constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and pain. If you have a mix of symptoms, you can manage them when they occur using OTC medicine for IBS.

Does Miralax help with bloating?

Miralax is an osmotic laxative that can help with the symptoms of IBS constipation, including bloating. By regulating the bowels and reducing constipation, bloating symptoms may decrease. An antispasmodic agent, such as Bentyl, may help reduce bloating symptoms further.

What is the best laxative for IBS constipation?

When it comes to IBS constipation, a gentle osmotic laxative such as Miralax (polyethylene glycol) is often the most effective. Other laxative types may be too irritating and may not be appropriate for frequent use.

When should you see a healthcare provider with your IBS symptoms?

If you are experiencing IBS symptoms, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis before starting IBS treatment over the counter. While OTC medication for IBS is often highly beneficial, it’s important to rule out other health conditions first before jumping to self-treatment. If you begin experiencing a change in the nature of your typical IBS symptoms, such as increased pain or cramping, blood in the stools, unintentional weight loss, changes in urination, or otherwise, it’s also important to see a healthcare provider.

References

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-of-irritable-bowel-syndrome-in-adults?search=ibs%20treatment&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1%7E150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1#H2957204

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/treatment

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/eating-diet-nutrition

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/irritable-bowel-syndrome/diagnosis