Health & Fitness

Category: Health

Drug brings relief for many constipated IBS patients

Many patients may soon find relief from the bloating, cramping, abdominal pain and constipation associated with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.

Lubiprostone, known by the brand name AMITIZAŽ, was just approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in women with IBS plus constipation. The hanks in part to University of Michigan Health System research that demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the drug for treatment of IBS-C.

Led by U-M gastroenterologist Dr. William D. Chey, the studies show that lubiprostone significantly improves all of the symptoms associated with IBS-C in many women.

Results from these studies will be presented today at Digestive Diseases Week in San Diego.

IBS, an often painful disorder of the lower intestine, affects between 10 to 15 percent of Americans.

While IBS is the second-leading cause of work absenteeism behind the common cold, Chey says fewer than half of patients with IBS seek medical treatment. And, he says, most over-the-counter medicines commonly used to treat symptoms - fiber, laxatives and stool stimulants - don't address the bloating and pain associated with IBS.

Most patients with IBS tend to fall into two categories: IBS-C or IBS with diarrhea. IBS-C is more common among older adults, while IBS-D tends to be seen more in younger patients.

Since the majority of patients with IBS are women, studies involving IBS tend to be made up of predominately female participants - more than 80 percent in most cases, Chey estimates.

"Although AMITIZA is only approved for use in women with IBS-C, it doesn't mean that the drug doesn't work for men. Unfortunately, we just haven't had enough men represented in these studies to make a firm decision on treatment using this drug," notes Chey.

After one week, 20 percent of the lubiprostone participants reported moderate to significant relief of symptoms. By the fourth week, 32 percent said they experienced relief of IBS-C symptoms - abdominal pain, bloating, constipation severity and straining during bowel movements. Lubiprostone also improved stool consistency.