Good news for teenage IBS sufferers. A new study evaluated the effectiveness of amitriptyline for the treatment of IBS in adolescents. Amitriptyline (brand name Elavil) is from a class of medication called tricyclic antidepressants. Antidepressants have often been prescribed for IBS even in people who are not depressed due to their helpful effect on pain and motility.

In this study, 33 children, ages 12 to 18, who were recently diagnosed with IBS were split into two treatment groups. One group received amitriptyline and the other group received a placebo. Several symptom questionnaires were administered at the beginning of the study and again at various intervals for a total of 13 weeks. At the study’s end, the teens who received amitriptyline experienced significant improvement in quality of life. Improvements were also seen in terms of a reduction of diarrhea and abdominal pain.

For more information on prescription medication options for IBS:

• Prescription Medication for Diarrhea Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Prescription Medication for Constipation Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Source

Bahar, R., Collins, B., Steinmetz, B. & Ament, M. “Double-blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Amitriptyline for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Adolescents” The Journal of Pediatrics 2008 152:685-689.