Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in China: A review

Table 1 Conventional pharmacological treatments for irritable bowel syndrome

Drug category	Drug functions	Examples
Antispasmodics	Antagonists of muscarinic receptors and calcium channels of smooth muscle	Pinaverium bromide, mebeverine, trimebutine maleate
Antidiarrheals	μ-opioid receptors agonists	Loperamide
Laxatives	Osmotic, stimulant	Bisacodyl, polyethylene glycol, lactulose
Bulking agents	Water binding to increase stool bulk	Methylcellulose, psyllium
Receptor targeted	5-HT3 receptor antagonists	Alosetron, cilansetron
	5-HT4 receptor agonists	Metoclopramide, domperidone
Probiotics	To balance intestinal flora	Lactobacilli, bifidobacteriae
Psychiatrics	Tricyclic antidepressants	Amitriptyline, doxepin
	Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors	Citalopram, fluoxetine
Antibiotics	To inhibit gut microorganisms	Neomycin, rifaximin