Effect of antispasmodic agents for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Antispasmodics are effective in reducing abdominal pain and controlling spasm. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients have characteristic key factors such as intestinal motility disorder and visceral hypersensitivity. So antispasmodics have been used in the treatment of IBS for decades. Mebeverine blocks intestinal peristalsis but are not significantly better than placebo. Alverine citrate combined with simethicone is effective treatment option in IBS. Otilonium and pinaverium bromide are poorly absorbed agents, so they have mostly local effect with minimal systemic adverse events. Phloroglucinol controls acute exacerbation of abdominal pain effectively. Tiropramide reduce abdominal discomfort without serious adverse events. Fenoverine control spasm in spastic colon but does not affect normal contraction. Trimebutine have dual actions that it inhibits hyperactive colon and activates hypomotile colon. Each drug has advantages and disadvantages. Antispasmodics are considered as the first treatment option of pain-dominant IBS.