Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, often accompanied by bloating. IBS is classified by its predominant bowel symptom: constipation (IBS-C), diarrhea (IBS-D), mixed type (IBS-M), or unclassified (IBS-U). Since the exact cause of IBS is unknown, the goal of treatment is symptom control. Some over-the-counter (OTC) products and prescription drugs for IBS are listed in Tables 1-4. The safety of these drugs during pregnancy and lactation is described in Table 5 (online only).

Ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), referred to collectively as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are chronic immune-mediated inflammatory conditions. Guidelines for treatment of UC and CD have been updated in recent years

View Figure: Treatments for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Adults

View the Comparison Chart: Some Drugs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D)

View the Comparison Chart: Some Drugs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)

View the Comparison Chart: Some Drugs for Abdominal Pain in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

The FDA has approved tenapanor (Ibsrela - Ardelyx), a sodium/hydrogen exchanger 3 (NHE3) inhibitor, for twice-daily oral treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in adults. Tenapanor is the first NHE3 inhibitor to become available in the US.

View the Table: Safety of Drugs for IBD in Pregnancy

View the Table: Some Drugs for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

View the Table: Some Drug Interactions with Drugs for IBD