Pregabalin Drug Reduces Pain Associated With Irritable Bowel Syndrome : Mayo Clinic Study

A team of researchers at Mayo Clinic conducted a pilot study to find the benefits of Pregabalin drug for treating the pain associated with Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Pregabalin is a neuro- pain inhibitor drug which is commonly used in the treatment of fibromyalgia (musculoskeletal pain). The findings of the study was presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology in Las Vegas.

‘Abdominal pain due to irritable bowel syndrome may be reduced by using pregabalin drug.’

Yuri Saito Loftus, M.D., study author said that there is currently only limited treatment options available for the treatment of abdominal pain associated with IBS and pregabalin could potentially be helpful.

The pilot study was followed with 85 IBS patients who were reported with high levels of abdominal pain. They were aged between 18 years to 70 years. Dr. Saito-loftus and her colleagues conducted the placebo - controlled study for 12 weeks.

The results of the study reported that patients who received pregabalin drug showed significant improvement in managing IBS abdominal pain when compared to those who received placebo drug. Improvement in other IBS symptoms like bloating and diarrhea was also noted.

The author also cautioned that the study results are not definitive and says "Our study does provide preliminary evidence that pregabalin may be an additional treatment option for patients with IBS who have failed other treatment options, but more research is needed."



Source: Medindia