Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTreatment With MedicationTreatment With DietUsing Laxatives SafelyIntegrated IBS-C TreatmentTreatment During a FlareChronic ManagementNext in IBS-C GuideIBS-C Diet: Tips for What to Eat and Avoid
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Treatment With Medication
Treatment With Diet
Using Laxatives Safely
Integrated IBS-C Treatment
Treatment During a Flare
Chronic Management
Next in IBS-C Guide
Living with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) means coping with bloating, pain, irregular bowel movements and other IBS-C symptoms. Finding an IBS-C treatment can leave you feeling better.
While you might be wondering about the best laxative for IBS constipation, there are other important treatment optionsfor IBS-C, including dietary changes, lifestyle changes, and non-laxative medications. In fact, certain laxatives could make symptoms worse.
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IBS-C Treatment With Medication
If you’reconstipated, often defined as having fewer than three bowel movements in a week, you might find yourself reaching forlaxatives, a type of medication that increases bowel movements. However, laxatives may or may not be part of your treatment plan for IBS-C, since treatment for IBS-C is different fromtreatment for constipation.
While laxatives can help with bowel movements, they don’t address the other symptoms of IBS-C. In addition, they’re not meant to be taken frequently. Dietary and lifestyle changes may also be needed. You can use laxatives or other medications when your symptoms are particularly severe.Here’s anoverview of ISB-C medications, including the best laxative for IBS-C.
Over-the-Counter Options
The best OTC treatment for IBS-C are bulk-forming laxatives. These medications use fiber products to bulk your stool. The ingredient psyllium is the best laxative for IBS-C, because it can reduce inflammation in the gut.Psyllium is found in laxatives including:
Other bulk-forming laxatives that can treat IBS-C include:
Prescription Options
There are a number of prescription medications that can help manage IBS-C. One of the most effective is plecanatide, sold under the brand nameTrulance. This medication, called a guanylate cyclase activator, addresses both constipation and pain. It can address other symptoms of IBS-C such as bloating and cramping.
Other prescription medications that are approved for treating IBS-C include:
Antidepressants aren’t specifically approved for treating IBS-C, but they can help with symptoms in some patients. That’s because they interact with neurotransmitters in the gut.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs) are the type of antidepressant most often used for people with IBS-C.
IBS-C Treatment Through Diet
Changing your diet can help you manage symptoms of IBS-C. Here are two changes that might help reduce symptoms. Adjusting your diet can be difficult, especially if you have IBS-C. Working with adietitianwho is experienced with the condition may help.
Focusing on fiber
Getting enough fiber can help with constipation. But in people with IBS-C, not all fiber is created equal:Soluble fibercan help with symptoms, but insoluble fiber can actually make symptoms worse.
Try increasingfoods that contain soluble fiber, including oats, peas, oranges and carrots. At the same time, limit foods that contain lots of insoluble fiber, like nuts, broccoli, potatoes and wheat.
Low-FODMAPs diet
Some research shows that alow-FODMAPs dietcan help with IBS-C symptoms, particularly in the short run.The acronym “FODMAP” stands for “fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols” and refers to a number of carbohydrates that can make symptoms of IBS-C worse.
The food plan involves eliminating high-FODMAP foods, including wheat, onion, and high-fructose corn syrup. Then, these items are slowly reintroduced, so you can identify which foods cause symptoms for you.
Using Laxatives Safely With IBS-C
If you’re constipated, it makes sense to reach for laxatives. They’re very effective in the short run. They might help relieve constipation, but they won’t address other IBS-C symptoms, like pain and bloating. In addition, laxatives aren’t meant to be used frequently, as they can cause more discomfort and pain.
Talk with your healthcare provider about how and when to use laxatives. While they can be an important tool for treating IBS-C, they shouldn’t be overused.
Research has shown that an integrated approach to IBS-C is the best way to manage symptoms. This means using medications along with lifestyle changes to treat IBS-C.
An integrated approach to IBS-C can include:
An integrated approach is complicated. A healthcare provider who has experience treating IBS-C can help you develop a treatment plan that works for you.
How to Treat IBS-C During a Flare
When your IBS-C symptoms flare up, they can cause a lot of pain and anxiety. Here’show to treat the symptoms of an IBS-C attack, or flare:
Unfortunately, traditional pain relievers like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) don’t typically work on IBS pain.
Chronic Management Between IBS-C Flares
Although IBS-C is a chronic disease, it’s possible tocope and live well with IBS. These steps can help:
Learning more about your body’s patterns with IBS-C can help you create a daily schedule and treatment plan that works for you.
Summary
The best treatment for IBS-C is an integrated approach that incorporates dietary and lifestyle changes alongside medications. While it may be tempting to use laxatives when your constipation gets bad, laxatives shouldn’t be used frequently or they may make symptoms worse.
There are many options for treating IBS-C, so finding a healthcare provider with experience treating the condition and learning how to advocate for yourself are important.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Canadian Digestive Health Foundation.How to treat and manage IBS-C.Patel S, Doerfler B, Boutros K, Ng S, Manuel M, DeSimone E.Review of treatment options for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation.Int J Gen Med. 2021. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S274568.Garg P.Inflammation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Role of psyllium fiber supplementation in decreasing inflammation and physiological management of IBS.Turk J Gastroenterol. 2021. doi: 10.5152/tjg.2020.20229.Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al.ACG clinical guideline: Management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036Harvard Medical School.Using alternative and complementary treatments to manage IBS.Qin HY, Cheng CW, Tang XD, Bian ZX.Impact of psychological stress on irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(39):14126–14131. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14126Chen L, Ilham SJ, Feng B.Pharmacological approach for managing pain in irritable bowel syndrome: A review article.Anesth Pain Med. 2017;7(2). doi:10.5812/aapm.42747
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Canadian Digestive Health Foundation.How to treat and manage IBS-C.Patel S, Doerfler B, Boutros K, Ng S, Manuel M, DeSimone E.Review of treatment options for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation.Int J Gen Med. 2021. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S274568.Garg P.Inflammation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Role of psyllium fiber supplementation in decreasing inflammation and physiological management of IBS.Turk J Gastroenterol. 2021. doi: 10.5152/tjg.2020.20229.Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al.ACG clinical guideline: Management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036Harvard Medical School.Using alternative and complementary treatments to manage IBS.Qin HY, Cheng CW, Tang XD, Bian ZX.Impact of psychological stress on irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(39):14126–14131. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14126Chen L, Ilham SJ, Feng B.Pharmacological approach for managing pain in irritable bowel syndrome: A review article.Anesth Pain Med. 2017;7(2). doi:10.5812/aapm.42747
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Canadian Digestive Health Foundation.How to treat and manage IBS-C.Patel S, Doerfler B, Boutros K, Ng S, Manuel M, DeSimone E.Review of treatment options for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation.Int J Gen Med. 2021. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S274568.Garg P.Inflammation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Role of psyllium fiber supplementation in decreasing inflammation and physiological management of IBS.Turk J Gastroenterol. 2021. doi: 10.5152/tjg.2020.20229.Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al.ACG clinical guideline: Management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036Harvard Medical School.Using alternative and complementary treatments to manage IBS.Qin HY, Cheng CW, Tang XD, Bian ZX.Impact of psychological stress on irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(39):14126–14131. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14126Chen L, Ilham SJ, Feng B.Pharmacological approach for managing pain in irritable bowel syndrome: A review article.Anesth Pain Med. 2017;7(2). doi:10.5812/aapm.42747
Canadian Digestive Health Foundation.How to treat and manage IBS-C.
Patel S, Doerfler B, Boutros K, Ng S, Manuel M, DeSimone E.Review of treatment options for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and chronic idiopathic constipation.Int J Gen Med. 2021. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S274568.
Garg P.Inflammation in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Role of psyllium fiber supplementation in decreasing inflammation and physiological management of IBS.Turk J Gastroenterol. 2021. doi: 10.5152/tjg.2020.20229.
Lacy BE, Pimentel M, Brenner DM, et al.ACG clinical guideline: Management of irritable bowel syndrome.Am J Gastroenterol. 2021. doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000001036
Harvard Medical School.Using alternative and complementary treatments to manage IBS.
Qin HY, Cheng CW, Tang XD, Bian ZX.Impact of psychological stress on irritable bowel syndrome.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(39):14126–14131. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14126
Chen L, Ilham SJ, Feng B.Pharmacological approach for managing pain in irritable bowel syndrome: A review article.Anesth Pain Med. 2017;7(2). doi:10.5812/aapm.42747
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