IBS Medicine for Daily Relief

Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) use many kinds of medicines to relieve symptoms. There are various types of drugs for IBS, depending on the symptoms and type of condition. To be specific, Alosetron (Lotronex), Eluxadoline (Viberzi), Rifaximin (Xifaxan), Lubiprostone (Amitiza), Linaclotide (Linzess).

Medicine

Alosetron (brand name: Lotronex) is a selective 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist used for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D). It works by blocking serotonin receptors in the gut, which helps to reduce bowel contractions, decrease fluid secretion, and alleviate abdominal pain. This medication is primarily prescribed for women with severe IBS-D who have not responded adequately to conventional therapies. Due to the risk of serious side effects, including ischemic colitis and severe constipation, Alosetron is available only through a restricted prescribing program in the United States. Patients must be closely monitored during treatment to ensure safety and efficacy (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).

Eluxadoline (brand name: Viberzi) is a medication used for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) in adults. It acts on opioid receptors in the gut as a mixed μ-opioid receptor agonist, κ-opioid receptor agonist, and δ-opioid receptor antagonist. By modulating these receptors, Eluxadoline helps to reduce bowel contractions, decrease abdominal pain, and regulate intestinal secretions (Drugs.com). Common side effects include constipation, nausea, and abdominal pain. Rare but serious adverse effects, such as pancreatitis (PubMed), can occur, particularly in patients with a history of gallbladder or pancreatic disease. Therefore, Eluxadoline is contraindicated in patients without a gallbladder or with known biliary duct obstruction or pancreatitis (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). It is important to avoid concurrent use with heavy alcohol consumption or other opioids. Eluxadoline is currently approved for use in the United States.

Rifaximin (brand name: Xifaxan) is a non-systemic, broad-spectrum antibiotic primarily used to treat traveler's diarrhea caused by non-invasive strains of Escherichia coli. It is also approved for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) and for the prevention of hepatic encephalopathy (PubMed) in patients with liver disease. Rifaximin works by inhibiting bacterial RNA synthesis, thereby reducing bacterial overgrowth in the intestines. Due to its minimal absorption into the bloodstream, it primarily acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract, which reduces the risk of systemic side effects (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Common side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, and headache. Rifaximin is generally well tolerated and is approved for use in many countries, including the United States (Drugs.com).

Lubiprostone (brand name: Amitiza) is a chloride channel activator used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in adult women, and opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adults with chronic non-cancer pain. It works by activating type 2 chloride channels (ClC-2) on the intestinal lining, which increases fluid secretion into the intestinal lumen and promotes bowel movements (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). Lubiprostone has a local effect on the gastrointestinal tract with minimal systemic absorption. Numerous studies indexed on PubMed support the efficacy of lubiprostone in treating various forms of constipation (“Lubiprostone,” PubMed). Common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and headache (Drugs.com). It is generally well tolerated and approved for use in several countries.

Linaclotide (brand name: Linzess) is a guanylate cyclase-C (GC-C) agonist used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults (PubMed). It works by activating the GC-C receptors on the surface of the intestinal epithelium, which increases cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). This leads to increased fluid secretion into the intestines and acceleration of intestinal transit, while also reducing visceral pain. Linaclotide is minimally absorbed and acts locally in the gastrointestinal tract (United States Food and Drug Administration). Common side effects include diarrhea, flatulence, and abdominal pain (Drug.com).

The choice of medicine for IBS depends on the type of symptoms. For IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), drugs like Alosetron and Eluxadoline are used, while Lubiprostone and Linaclotide are for IBS with constipation (IBS-C). Rifaximin treats IBS-D by targeting gut bacteria.

Although these medicines are effective, some can cause serious side effects, so patients need careful monitoring. Common side effects like nausea and abdominal pain are also possible. Therefore, doctors must tailor treatment to each patient.

In summary, IBS treatment has improved with new drugs, but because IBS varies among people, personalized treatment is important. More research will help develop safer and better therapies.

Sites

“Eluxadoline IBS-D.” PubMed, National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=eluxadoline+IBS-D. Accessed 26 July 2025.

“Eluxadoline.” Drugs.com, 2025, https://www.drugs.com/eluxadoline.html. Accessed 26 July 2025.

“Linaclotide.” Drugs.com, www.drugs.com/linaclotide.html. Accessed 26 July 2025.

“Linaclotide.” PubMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine, www.pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=linaclotide. Accessed 26 July 2025.

“Rifaximin.” Drugs.com, 2025, https://www.drugs.com/mtm/rifaximin.html. Accessed 26 July 2025.

“Rifaximin.” PubMed, National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=rifaximin. Accessed 26 July 2025.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Viberzi (Eluxadoline) Prescribing Information. 2018, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/205507s003lbl.pdf. Accessed 26 July 2025.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Amitiza (lubiprostone) [Prescribing Information]. 2013.https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2013/021908s014lbl.pdf

United States Food and Drug Administration. Linzess (Linaclotide) Label. 2020, www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/202811s017lbl.pdf. Accessed 26 July 2025.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Xifaxan (Rifaximin) Prescribing Information. 2018, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/021361s030lbl.pdf. Accessed 26 July 2025.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Xifaxan (Rifaximin) Prescribing Information. 2020, https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/021361s030lbl.pdf. Accessed 26 July 2025.

Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board