Irritable Bowel Syndrome, also known as spastic colon, can be a debilitating condition. IBS is a functional disorder wherein the colon does not work properly, leaving the sufferer of this condition with symptoms such as bloating, cramping, gas, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
There are medications for IBS available which can help you with your symptoms. IBS with constipation as the dominant symptom can be helped with over-the-counter laxatives, such as Dulcolax, Senokot, Milk of Magnesia and ExLax, but these laxatives are for occasional use and should not be taken on a regular basis. Osmotic laxatives, which control the amount of water in the colon, are more beneficial for long term use and can be prescribed by your doctor. Two osmotic laxatives are Lactulose and Miralax. The prescription drug Amitiza is also used by doctors for this type of IBS.
For IBS accompanied with diarrhea, an antispasmodic will help to control the spasms of the colon. Some antispasmodics are Donnatal, Bentyl and Levsin/Levbid.
Antidiarrheals are also helpful for IBS with diarrhea. Imodium, Kaopectate, Maalox and Pepto Bismol are all available over-the-counter. Lomotil is a prescription drug which can also be useful for this condition, but dosages should be adhered to as an overdose can be fatal, and this drug can be habit-forming.
Tranquilizers, such as Librax (which is also an antispasmodic), have been used for IBS with diarrhea, but Librax can be habit-forming.
Antidepressants are sometimes used for IBS symptoms. Prozac, Celexa, Zoloft and Paxil are helpful for IBS with constipation, but they can cause diarrhea, so those who have IBS with diarrhea should stay away from these drugs. And IBS with diarrhea can be treated with a tricyclic antidepressent, such as Elavil.
Discuss with your doctor the IBS medication that is best for you. There is help for those with IBS.