Some people with IBS‑C also get tummy cramps, bloating, or trapped wind. There are a few shop‑bought medicines that may help with these symptoms. These do not treat constipation itself, but they can make the tummy feel more comfortable.
|
Type of medicine |
How it works |
Examples |
|
Tummy muscle relaxers |
Helps calm tight or cramping tummy muscles |
Buscopan, Mebeverine |
|
Peppermint oil capsules |
Helps with bloating, trapped wind and tummy cramps |
Colpermin Mintec. |
|
Pain-relief |
Can help with mild tummy pain, but not strong cramps |
Paracetamol |
If your tummy symptoms don’t get better with food changes or shop‑bought treatments, it can help to speak to your GP.
When to see your GP:
It’s important to speak to your GP if:
- Your tummy symptoms don’t get better with food changes or shop‑bought treatments
- You often have strong tummy pain that stops you doing normal things
- You feel very bloated most days
- You are still struggling to poo, even after trying laxatives
- Your symptoms are getting worse or keep coming back
Your GP can help you work out what might be causing your symptoms and talk to you about other treatments that may help.
Some medicines a GP might think about are:
|
Type of medicine |
How it works |
Examples |
|
Medications to help with constipation |
Help the bowel move more easily and make poo softer |
Linaclotide, prucalopride |
|
Tummy muscle relaxers |
Help calm tight or cramping tummy muscles |
Mebeverine, hyoscine butylbromide |
|
Low-dose nerve-pain medicines |
Help calm down tummy pain by making the gut less sensitive |
Amitriptyline (low dose) |
These medicines are not right for everyone. What works best depends on your symptoms, your health and what you may have already tried. It can help if you explain your symptoms clearly, for example, whether constipation, pain or bloating is the main issue, so your GP can choose the most suitable option for you.
Some people with IBS‑C also get tummy cramps, bloating, or trapped wind. There are a few shop‑bought medicines that may help with these symptoms. These do not treat constipation itself, but they can make the tummy feel more comfortable.
|
Type of medicine |
How it works |
Examples |
|
Tummy muscle relaxers |
Helps calm tight or cramping tummy muscles |
Buscopan, Mebeverine |
|
Peppermint oil capsules |
Helps with bloating, trapped wind and tummy cramps |
Colpermin Mintec. |
|
Pain-relief |
Can help with mild tummy pain, but not strong cramps |
Paracetamol |
If your tummy symptoms don’t get better with food changes or shop‑bought treatments, it can help to speak to your GP.
When to see your GP:
It’s important to speak to your GP if:
- Your tummy symptoms don’t get better with food changes or shop‑bought treatments
- You often have strong tummy pain that stops you doing normal things
- You feel very bloated most days
- You are still struggling to poo, even after trying laxatives
- Your symptoms are getting worse or keep coming back
Your GP can help you work out what might be causing your symptoms and talk to you about other treatments that may help.
Some medicines a GP might think about are:
|
Type of medicine |
How it works |
Examples |
|
Medications to help with constipation |
Help the bowel move more easily and make poo softer |
Linaclotide, prucalopride |
|
Tummy muscle relaxers |
Help calm tight or cramping tummy muscles |
Mebeverine, hyoscine butylbromide |
|
Low-dose nerve-pain medicines |
Help calm down tummy pain by making the gut less sensitive |
Amitriptyline (low dose) |
These medicines are not right for everyone. What works best depends on your symptoms, your health and what you may have already tried. It can help if you explain your symptoms clearly, for example, whether constipation, pain or bloating is the main issue, so your GP can choose the most suitable option for you.
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