Antibiotics in irritable bowel syndrome: a novel approach to a challenging disorder. (April 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quigley, Eamonn MM
• Is Part Of: Clinical investigation. Volume 1:Number 4(2011)
• Page Start: 479
• Page End: 482
• Publication Date: 2011-04
• Subjects: antibiotics -- irritable bowel syndrome -- microbiota -- rifaximin -- small intestinal bacterial overgrowth; Drugs -- Testing -- Periodicals; Drug development -- Periodicals; Clinical trials -- Periodicals; 615.580724
• DOI: 10.4155/cli.11.31
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2041-6806

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common and sometimes disabling syndrome that has been reported to affect up to 10––15% of adults in North America[1] and Western Europe[2] . As a result of its heterogeneous nature and undefined pathophysiology, progress in the management of IBS and its symptoms has been slow and has been further hampered by the withdrawal of promising new pharmacological agents due to what were considered unacceptable rates of adverse events. IBS has been barren ground for the pharmaceutical industry given the perception of regulatory agencies that it is a benign condition and, accordingly, drugs for the treatment of this disorder should be devoid of any serious side effects. Fortunately, this pharmacological drought has not deterred clinical investigators who have continued to pursue studies on the etiology of IBS; a journey that has taken investigators on some unexpected journeys and led to some intriguing hypotheses.