Expert Opinion on the Efficacy and Safety of Antispasmodics with a Focus on Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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.
Most read articles by the same author(s)
- Filiz AKYÜZ, Fatih BEŞIŞIK, Binnur PINARBAŞI, Kadir DEMİR, Sabahattin KAYMAKOĞLU, Yılmaz ÇAKALOĞLU, Mehmet Şükrü SEVER, Atilla ÖKTEN, The quality of life in hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection , Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology: Vol. 20 No. 4 (2009): Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
- Filiz Akyüz, Özlem Mutluay Soyer, How is gastroesophageal reflux disease classified? , Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology: Vol. 28 No. 1 (2017): Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
- İsmail Hakkı KALKAN, Ülkü DAĞLI, What is the most accurate method in the diagnosis of amebic dysentery? , Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology: Vol. 21 No. 1 (2010): Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
- Filiz AKYÜZ, Duygu İBRİŞİM, Emre BALIK, Oya YÖNAL, Sabahattin KAYMAKOĞLU, Dursun BUĞRA, Zeynel MUNGAN, Evaluation of malignancy risk and endoscopic follow up in achalasia: Case report , Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology: Vol. 17 No. 1 (2006): Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
- Yusuf Serdar Sakin, Alpaslan Tanoğlu, Mustafa Gülşen, Dual FAAH and MAGL inhibition might play a key role in visceral pain , Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology: Vol. 29 No. 5 (2018): Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
- Ümit Akyüz, Cengiz PATA, Murat KALAYCI, Kamil ÖZDİL, Hasan Altun, Bora KARİP, Filiz AKYÜZ, Route selection for double balloon enteroscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding: Experience from a single center , Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology: Vol. 23 No. 6 (2012): Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
- Fatih BEŞIŞIK, Dinç DİNÇER, Kadir DEMİR, Sebahattin KAYMAKOĞLU, Yılmaz ÇAKALOĞLU, Uğur ÇEVİKBAŞ, Atilla ÖKTEN, Miconazole induced acute hepatitis and sexual intercourse! , Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology: Vol. 12 No. 1 (2001): Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
- Emrah Gün, Ayşen Durak, Edin Botan, Selen Şimşek Pervane, Anar Gurbanov, Burak Balaban, Fevzi Kahveci, Hasan Özen, Hacer Uçmak, Fulden Aycan, Zarife Kuloğlu, Tanıl Kendirli, Extracorporeal Therapies in Children with Acute Liver Failure: A Single-Center Experience , Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology: Vol. 34 No. 1 (2023): Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
- Filiz Akyüz, Bilger Çavuş, Ümit Akyüz, What is the effective clinical use of small bowel capsule endoscopy in real life? , Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology: Vol. 31 No. 9 (2020): Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
- Dinç Dinçer, Fulya Günşar, From the Editor , Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology: Vol. 29 No. 1 (2018): Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.