What are some of the main medical treatments for IBS?

Medications for diarrhea-predominant IBS include antidiarrheals that reduce intestinal motility (organized contractions of the digestive tract) and reduce water content in the bowel. Doctors may also prescribe antibiotics to treat underlying infections or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Drugs for constipation include over-the-counter laxatives or prescriptions that increase water content in the bowel or enhance intestinal motility. Antidepressants or antispasmodics can be used to normalize intestinal motility.^[1]