A wide variety of medicines are used to treat IBS symptoms. In this day of fragmented health care it is important to be an educated consumer - one who knows about possible medication options and who is informed about the safety and effectiveness of prescribed medications. The following resources will help you to expand your knowledge of the various medications for IBS.
Prescription Medicine for IBS
Photo: Jeffrey Hamilton /Getty Images
Your options for medications for IBS will depend on your predominant symptom, whether it be constipation or diarrhea. The following articles provide an overview of the most common medications prescribed for each IBS sub-type:
- Prescription Medication for Diarrhea Predominant IBS
- Prescription Medicine for Constipation Predominant IBS
- Potential IBS Medicine Options
The following articles cover specific medications that are sometimes prescribed for IBS:
Drugs A to Z
About.com's Drugs A to Z is a great resource if you are looking for information about a specific drug. The home page has a list of the top 200 drugs in alphabetical order. If the medication you are looking for is not in the top 200, there is a search function that allows you to search using either the brand or generic name. Information is provided regarding:
- Conditions the medicine is used for
- Possible side effects
- Interactions with other drugs
- How to take the medicine
Medline Plus
This site, published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, offers detailed information of medications and herbal and other supplements. You can find a specific medication through the use of a handy alphabetical index or through a search function. Information is offered regarding usage, side effects, and special precautions.
Drugwatch.com
Although the current catalogue of medications is somewhat limited, this site has some unique features that set it apart from other drug information sites. Through the site's home page, you can get breaking news regarding:
- New drug availability
- Drug recalls
- Black box warnings
- Other FDA alerts
- Research study results
