{"id":590,"date":"2022-11-26T06:39:16","date_gmt":"2022-11-26T06:39:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/?p=590"},"modified":"2022-11-27T06:42:31","modified_gmt":"2022-11-27T06:42:31","slug":"reference-guide-for-irritable-bowel-syndrome-medications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/irritable-bowel-syndrome-medications\/reference-guide-for-irritable-bowel-syndrome-medications\/","title":{"rendered":"Reference Guide for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Medications"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Highlights<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common and is often treated with a mix of lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medication.<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>A few prescription medications are available to treat severe IBS symptoms in specific circumstances.<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>BidRX can help you get the lowest price on your IBS medications.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the more common syndromes in the US. For many people, it\u2019s mild, but others can experience symptoms that interfere with their daily lives. Explore what IBS is, how it\u2019s diagnosed, what prescription medications are available, and how to get the lowest prices on irritable bowel syndrome medications.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>About IBS<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IBS is generally defined as a set of symptoms that can\u2019t be explained by another cause, generally involving abdominal pain and changes to your stool and how frequently you go to the bathroom. It affects about 10 to 15 percent of the population and is diagnosed using <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdcalc.com\/calc\/4007\/rome-iv-diagnostic-criteria-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Rome criteria<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abdominal pain at least one day a week on average for the last three months, associated with two of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Defecation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A change in how frequently you defecate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A change in the consistency of stool<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>IBS Medications &#8211; Overview<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most symptoms of IBS can be treated with over-the-counter medication, which is generally part of a package of lifestyle changes and daily care. For severe cases, prescription medications are considered in certain circumstances. They include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/eluxadoline.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eluxadoline<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Viberzi)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/rifaximin.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rifaximin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Xifaxan)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/lubiprostone.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lubiprostone<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Amitiza)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drugs.com\/mtm\/linaclotide.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linaclotide<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (Linzess)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One drug, Alosetron, is currently only available in limited circumstances and you must be approved in order to obtain a prescription for it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Eluxadoline (Viberzi)<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-594\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/2.jpeg-19.jpg\" alt=\"Man hunched over in pain\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eluxadoline reduces muscle contractions and fluid retention in the intestines, easing diarrhea. It also helps to improve rectal muscle tone. Eluxadoline has also been associated with pancreatitis, which can be serious and more common in certain individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Contraindications of Eluxadoline<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Do not take eluxadoline if you:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are experiencing severe constipation\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have an intestinal blockage<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have any history of gallbladder obstruction<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have had your gallbladder removed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experience problems related to the sphincter of Oddi\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have severe liver disease<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have any pancreatic disorder regardless of severity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consume 3 or more alcoholic beverages in a day<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have kidney or liver disease, discuss eluxadoline\u2019s risks with your doctor before taking it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Warnings of Eluxadoline<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eluxadoline is not approved for anyone under 18, and has not been tested for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Eluxadoline is habit-forming, and your usage will need to be carefully monitored.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Side Effects of Eluxadoline<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common side effects of eluxadoline are<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constipation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stomach pain.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Side effects are more likely in older adults.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Interactions of Eluxadoline<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Currently, there are no known common interactions with other medications and eluxadoline. However, drugs that are metabolized by the liver or the kidneys should be monitored closely while taking it.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Rifaximin (Xifaxan)<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rifaximin is an antibiotic used to combat bacterial overgrowth. It\u2019s primarily used to treat IBS when diarrhea is the primary symptom, with the idea that managing the intestinal biome will help control symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Contraindications of Rifaximin<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anyone allergic to the following should not take rifaximin:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rifabutin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rifampin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rifapentine<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have liver disease, do not take rifaximin.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Warnings of Rifaximin<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you continue to have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, contact a doctor immediately as this may be a sign of a new infection. If you have bloody diarrhea at any point after taking Rifaximin, contact a doctor. Rifaximin may also alter the results of liver tests.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Side Effects of Rifaximin<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typical side effects of rifaximin include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swelling in the extremities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More serious symptoms that require immediate medical attention include.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe stomach pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bloody diarrhea at any point after taking rifaximin<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fever<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fluid build-up around the stomach<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Interactions of Rifaximin<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rifaximin should not be taken with the following without approval from a medical professional:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any other antibiotic<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antiviral medication<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antifungals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart or blood pressure medication<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Lubiprostone (Amitiza)<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-593\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/3.jpeg-18.jpg\" alt=\"Cancer symbol\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lubiprostone increases the retention of fluid in the small intestine, which helps you pass stool.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Contraindications of Lubiprostone<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opioid users should not take lubiprostone without being cleared to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Warnings of Lubiprostone<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lubiprostone has only been approved for women who have been diagnosed with IBS that has constipation as a primary symptom, who have severe symptoms, and for whom other treatments haven\u2019t been effective.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you feel light-headed after taking lubiprostone or if you have severe diarrhea, stop taking it and seek immediate medical attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Side Effects of Lubiprostone<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Possible common lubiprostone side effects include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stomach pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gas and bloating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seek medical attention immediately if you experience:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe and\/or ongoing nausea\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe and\/or ongoing diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty breathing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Light-headedness or a feeling like you\u2019ll pass out<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Interactions of Lubiprostone<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opioids may interact with lubiprostone, so inform your doctor if you\u2019re using them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Linaclotide (Linzess)<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-592\" src=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/4.jpeg-7.jpg\" alt=\"Woman in pain\" width=\"512\" height=\"342\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similar to lubiprostone, linaclotide increases fluid secretion in the small intestine, easing the passage of stool.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Contraindications of Linaclotide<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have or suspect you have an intestinal blockage, do not take linaclotide.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Warnings of Linaclotide<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linaclotide should not be taken by anyone under 18. Linaclotide can be fatal for children under 6, and should be stored securely in a place children have no access.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you experience severe ongoing diarrhea or diarrhea with a feeling of lightheadedness, seek medical attention right away.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Side Effects of Linaclotide<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linaclotide\u2019s typical side effects include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stomach pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gas and bloating<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A feeling of uncomfortable fullness in your stomach.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Linaclotide should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before eating to ease diarrhea.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Interactions of Linaclotide<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are no current notable interactions with linaclotide, but review everything you take with your doctor to ensure there are no possible impacts on your intestine. Discontinue any herbal supplements you take while using linaclotide.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Get The Lowest Prices on Irritable Bowel Syndrome Medications With BidRX<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IBS shouldn\u2019t be the driving force in your life, and neither should the cost of medication. With BidRX, you file a prescription and pharmacies across the country compete for your business. When you pick the winner, your prescription arrives at your door.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get started on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/home\/Contents\/medication\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">our medication page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and learn how BidRX can get you the lowest prices on all your prescriptions!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Highlights Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common and is often treated with a mix of&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":591,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-590","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-irritable-bowel-syndrome-medications"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=590"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":598,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/590\/revisions\/598"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/591"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=590"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=590"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bidrx.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=590"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}