Mebeverine: Indications, Administration, Side Effects and Interactions

It is a type of medicine called an antispasmodic. It works by relaxing the muscle in the walls of the intestines.

This relieves painful muscle spasms in the intestine and reduces related symptoms, such as:

  • Abdominal pain and cramping cramps.
  • Swelling.
  • Flatulence
  • Diarrhea alternating with constipation .

What is mebeverine used for?

Mebeverine is used to relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and related bowel disorders caused by spasms in the intestinal muscles.

Syndromes include chronic irritable bowel, spastic constipation, mucous colitis, and spastic colitis.

It can be used by adults and children over ten years old. Specialists sometimes prescribe mebeverine for intestinal spasms in younger children.

The doctor or pharmacist can offer more information on consumption in children.

Mebeverine can be bought without a prescription in pharmacies to alleviate the syndrome’s symptoms in adults if it has been previously diagnosed by a doctor.

 

Who should not take this medicine?

  • People with inactivity in the intestine (paralytic ileus). This causes severe constipation.
  • People who are allergic to any ingredient in the medicine. The patient should check the ingredients if they know they have specific allergies.

Mebeverine without a prescription

If the patient has never been diagnosed with an intestinal disorder and has developed symptoms that are worsening, you should consult a doctor before using this or any other treatment.

Even if it has been diagnosed, you should consult a doctor before buying mebeverine without a prescription, especially if the patient has any of the following situations:

  • You are 40 or older, and your symptoms have recently changed, or it has been some time since you last had symptoms.
  • You have blood in your stool.
  • You feel sick or have vomited.
  • He looks pale and tired.
  • You are constipated.
  • He has a fever.
  • He has recently traveled abroad.
  • You are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
  • You are female and have unusual bleeding or discharge from your vagina.
  • You have difficulty or pain when urinating.

Use during pregnancy and lactation.

It is not advisable to take the drug under these conditions unless it has been prescribed by a doctor because there is a definite clinical need, and there are no suitable alternatives.

The safety of mebeverine for use in pregnancy has not been fully established, so it is generally not recommended for pregnant women.

If the patient becomes pregnant while taking mebeverine, she should stop taking it and consult a doctor.

It is unknown if the drug transfers into breast milk, but manufacturers recommend that it be avoided while breastfeeding.

Management

This depends on the form of mebeverine the patient is taking:

Mebeverine 135 mg tablets

  • One tablet should be taken thrice a day, 20 minutes before the three main meals.
  • The tablet should be swallowed whole with a drink of water. It is not advisable to chew the tablets as they have an unpleasant taste.
  • You should not take more than three tablets per day.

Mebeverine suspension (liquid)

  • The patient should follow the instructions given by their doctor regarding the dose of suspension to use. This should also be printed on the label.
  • The bottle should be shaken before measuring the prescribed dose. A measuring spoon or oral syringe is used. An average teaspoon should not be used as it is not accurate.
  • A liquid dose is generally taken three times daily, 20 minutes before the three main meals.

Mebeverine 200 mg modified-release capsules

  • One capsule should be taken twice daily, 20 minutes before morning and evening meals. These are designed to release mebeverine slowly as the capsule passes through the intestine.
  • They should be swallowed whole with a glass of water (at least 100 ml).
  • Opening or chewing the capsules is not recommended as this will impair their modified-release action.

What to do if a dose is missed?

If the patient misses a dose, they should take their next dose as usual when the time is right.

Taking a double dose to compensate for a forgotten dose is not recommended as it may lead to more significant difficulties.

How long should the treatment be taken?

Unless otherwise directed by a doctor, it is generally recommended that the patient only take mebeverine when needed rather than all the time.

So the person should start taking it when symptoms appear and stop once they are under control. This could take a couple of weeks.

If their symptoms do not improve within two weeks after taking mebeverine, or they get worse at any time, the patient should see their doctor.

Can it be taken with other medications? (interactions)

Mebeverine is not known to affect other medications. However, it is always better to consult a pharmacist or doctor before using other medicines in combination with mebeverine.

Side effects

Mebeverine has very few reported side effects. However, some people have reported allergic reactions, such as:

  • Swelling of the face
  • It is swelling in the throat or tongue.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Skin rashes, such as an itchy nettle-type rash.

The patient should stop taking mebeverine and consult a doctor immediately if they think they have had an allergic reaction.

If you get any other effects that you think might be related to mebeverine, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

The treatment should not affect the ability to drive or the balance and coordination of the patient; if this happens, you should see a doctor.

Regarding the consumption of alcohol, within the recommended amounts, alcohol does not alter the effects of mebeverine.

Mebeverine brands available

Mebeverine hydrochloride is a generic drug available in tablets and suspension. It is also available under the following brands:

  • Boots IBS en tabletas.
  • Colofac IBS in tablets.
  • Colofac MR in modified-release capsules.
  • Fybogel mebeverine contains ispaghula peel with mebeverine and can be helpful if the patient suffers from constipation.