IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

DESCRIPTION

Functional bowel disorder: motility disturbance of the entire gastrointestinal

tract (GIT) resulting in recurrent symptoms of pain, constipation and/or

diarrhoea and bloating.

GENERAL MEASURES

Reassure patient, after limited investigations, that there is no serious organic

disorder.

Dietary advice by dietician.

MEDICINE TREATMENT

Not specifically indicated.

Based on patients’ predominant symptoms.

Short-term symptomatic treatment for diarrhoea and/or constipation.

Laxatives only for constipation-specific IBS, see Section 1.1.3:

Constipation/Faecal impaction.

Antidiarrhoeals only for diarrhoea-specific IBS, see Section 1.3.3: Diarrhoea,

Acute Non-Inflammatory.

Tricyclic anti-depressants may be used as adjuvant therapy.

• Amitriptyline, oral, 25–75 mg daily.

o Titrate dose as appropriate