Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome, characterized by disordered bowel habits associated with abdominal pain or discomfort, affects roughly one in eight adults. This review discusses therapeutic options for patients with this disorder. Nonpharmacologic therapies alone are adequate for many patients. Nonspecific pharmacotherapy to treat constipation or diarrhea, as well as more specific therapy with antispasmodic agents, antidepressants, serotonin-receptor antagonists, and other agents are discussed. A doctor–patient alliance is important in treating the disorder.