Session Speaker

Current Therapies in Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Susan Jacob
USA

IBS is one of the most common and particularly challenging gastrointestinal disorders in Western civilization. Current treatment options for IBS include serotonergic agents that are comprised of 5HT₃/5HT₄ antagonists/agonists, TCAs, SSRIs, SNRIs, and chloride channel activators are the most current FDA approved agents for IBS. Antibiotics such as rifaximin, probiotics, melatonin, tachykinin receptor antagonists, opioid receptor ligands, autonomic modulators are all currently under investigation for the treatment of IBS. Popular non-pharmacological treatments include acupuncture and peppermint oil. Several studies have evaluated the use of these agents in the treatment of IBS. They include 37 clinical trials consisting of both randomized controlled and pilot study trials and various reviews. The outcomes commonly used in most of these studies were symptomatic relief of IBS. Most clinical trials have limitations of having a small patient population and further investigation of pharmacological agents is necessary to determine the efficacy and safety for patients suffering from such a complex condition.