Management of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation: a flexible approach to treating a complex condition with multiple symptoms

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome is a heterogeneous disease with a complex underlying pathophysiology and multiple symptoms – that is, clinical manifestation patterns. As such, management of irritable bowel syndrome requires a flexible approach tailored to the individual patient. This article reviews rational, evidence-based management strategy and treatment options for this variable condition.

Keywords::

• antidepressant
• antispasmodic
• constipation
• guanylate cyclase C agonist
• irritable bowel syndrome
• laxative
• linaclotide
• probiotic
• prokinetics
• secretagog

Financial & competing interests disclosure

P Layer received financial compensation for advisory boards and speaker bureaus from Abbott/Solvay, Almirall, Ardeypharm, Aptalis/Axcan, Danone, Falk, Ironwood, Lilly, Norgine, Novartis, Nycomed, Roche, Shire and Steigerwald. The author has no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Medical writing assistance was provided by S Boldt of Complete Medical Communications Ltd and was funded by Almirall.