Invited Review
Expert Opinion on the Efficacy and Safety of Antispasmodics with a Focus on Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Volume 36 · Issue Supplement 2
Publish Date: November 25, 2025
Published In
Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume 36 · Issue Supplement 2
Pages: S1-S38
History
Published Online: November 25, 2025
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright © 2025 Serhat Bor, Hasan Özen, İsmail Hakkı Kalkan, Filiz Akyüz, Altay Çelebi, Dinç Dinçer, Yusuf Serdar Sakin
Serhat Bor
Department of Gastroenterology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Türkiye
Hasan Özen
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
İsmail Hakkı Kalkan
Department of Gastroenterology, TOBB University of Economics and Technology School of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
Filiz Akyüz
Department of Gastroenterology, İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Türkiye
Altay Çelebi
Department of Gastroenterology, Kocaeli University School of Medicine, Kocaeli, Türkiye
Dinç Dinçer
Department of Gastroenterology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Türkiye
Yusuf Serdar Sakin
Department of Gastroenterology, Acıbadem Kent Hospital, İzmir, Türkiye
Bor, S., Özen, H., Kalkan, İsmail H., Akyüz, F., Çelebi, A., Dinçer, D., & Sakin, Y. S. (2025). Expert Opinion on the Efficacy and Safety of Antispasmodics with a Focus on Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology, 36(Supplement 2), S1-S38. https://doi.org/10.5152/tjg.2025.101125
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Abstract
Antispasmodics are commonly used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. They are generally regarded as safe.However, some have been found to be ineffective or not cost-effective. Marked discrepancies in the availability and formulation of antispasmodic agents across countries—ranging from the limitation to only fundamental compounds in regions such as the United States to the marketing of diverse combination products elsewhere—have generated considerable ambiguity and debate within the field. Meta-analyses show varying results on the efficacy of antispasmodics, indicating the need for further analysis. This article aims to evaluate the effectiveness of antispasmodic drugs in relieving symptoms in IBS patients. We conclude that most drugs are considered safe and effective, with pinaverium, otilonium, and peppermint oil having meta-analyses supporting their efficacy. However, there is a lack of high-quality data for drugs like alverine, trimebutine, and cimetropium, and some drugs, such as simeticone or combinations of spasmolytic agents and simeticone, have insufficient research data. Clinicians should prioritize evidence-based medicine when selecting antispasmodic agents.
Cite this article as: Bor S, Özen H, Akyüz F, et al. Expert opinion on the efficacy and safety of antispasmodics with a focus on irritable bowel syndrome. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2025;36(Supp 2):S1-S38.
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Article Info
Published In
Journal
Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
Volume / Issue
Volume 36 · Issue Supplement 2
Pages
S1-S38
History
Published Online
November 25, 2025
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright
Copyright (c) 2025 Serhat Bor, Hasan Özen, İsmail Hakkı Kalkan, Filiz Akyüz, Altay Çelebi, Dinç Dinçer, Yusuf Serdar Sakin
Affiliations
Serhat Bor
Department of Gastroenterology, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Türkiye
Hasan Özen
Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
İsmail Hakkı Kalkan
Department of Gastroenterology, TOBB University of Economics and Technology School of Medicine, Ankara, Türkiye
Filiz Akyüz
Department of Gastroenterology, İstanbul University İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul, Türkiye
Altay Çelebi
Department of Gastroenterology, Kocaeli University School of Medicine, Kocaeli, Türkiye
Dinç Dinçer
Department of Gastroenterology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Türkiye
Yusuf Serdar Sakin
Department of Gastroenterology, Acıbadem Kent Hospital, İzmir, Türkiye
Cite this Article
Bor, S., Özen, H., Kalkan, İsmail H., Akyüz, F., Çelebi, A., Dinçer, D., & Sakin, Y. S. (2025). Expert Opinion on the Efficacy and Safety of Antispasmodics with a Focus on Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology, 36(Supplement 2), S1-S38. https://doi.org/10.5152/tjg.2025.101125
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