What’s best for IBS?
A meta-analysis confirms the usefulness of antispasmodics and antidepressants for irritable bowel syndrome, but finds bulking agents to be of little help.
CHALLENGES TO IMPLEMENTATION: Patients may favor fiber
Patients with IBS may be reluctant to take antidepressants or antispasmodics, due to concern about adverse effects (eg, headache, insomnia, nervousness, dry mouth, and constipation) or because of a preference for what they see as a more “natural” remedy. It may be helpful to explain that while fiber may have some health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol,6 antispasmodics and antidepressants have been found to improve IBS symptoms but thus far, fiber has not.
Acknowledgement
The PURLs Surveillance System is supported in part by Grant Number UL1RR024999 from the National center for Research Resources, a clinical Translational Science Award to the University of chicago. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National center for Research Resources or the National Institutes of Health.
