Do you often experience diarrhea along with stomach pain? This could be a symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a condition that many people have. In such cases, your doctor may prescribe a medication called Eluxadoline to help control these symptoms. In this article, we will discuss what this medication is, how it is used, and what precautions you should take when taking it.
What kind of medicine is Eluxadoline?
Simply put, Eluxadoline is a medication that is used to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which is a condition that causes diarrhea. Some people have an overactive bowel movement. This causes them to have to go to the bathroom more often. So this medication works by controlling this overactivity in your bowels and slowing it down. This helps you feel better and reduces the number of times you need to go to the bathroom.
In Sri Lanka and some other countries around the world, this medication is available under the brand name Viberzi . This medication can be prescribed by a doctor for other conditions besides IBS. So if you have any questions, ask your doctor about it.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
Before prescribing this medicine to you, it is very important for your doctor to know your complete health history. This medicine may not be suitable for people with certain medical conditions. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor about them.
| Do you have this condition? | Why is it important to inform the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Drinking more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day | Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of pancreatitis. |
| Having the gallbladder surgically removed | People without a gallbladder are at a much higher risk of severe side effects. |
| Gallbladder disease | This condition can also increase the risk of side effects. |
| Having had pancreatitis or other pancreatic diseases in the past | There is a risk of pancreatitis recurring or worsening with this medication. |
| Having a history of frequent constipation | This medication can cause constipation, which can worsen existing conditions. |
| Liver disease or kidney disease | The process of removing the drug from the body may be affected. |
| Having a history of drug or alcohol addiction | This medication carries a certain risk of addiction, so care should be taken with it. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant | The possible effects on the fetus should be discussed with the doctor. |
| Being a breastfeeding mother | Seek medical advice about whether the medicine passes to the baby through breast milk. |
How should I use this medicine?
The method of using this medicine is very simple.
- Swallow the pill with a glass of water.
- The most important thing is that this medicine should always be taken with a meal. Do not take it on an empty stomach.
- Take the exact dose as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change the dose as you wish or take it more often than prescribed.
- Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- If you are over 65 years old, your body may react a little more harshly to this medicine, so be careful about that too.
Warning: Overdose
If you accidentally take too much of this medicine, it can be dangerous. If this happens, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Otherwise, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital without delay.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, skip it. That is, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Things to keep in mind when taking this medicine
- Constipation: One of the main side effects of this medication is constipation. Even if you take medication for diarrhea, it can sometimes go the other way and cause constipation. If you are unable to go to the bathroom for 3 days , call your doctor immediately.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Be careful when getting up from a sitting position or out of bed, especially if you are elderly. You may feel dizzy and fall.
- Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication. Alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of the medication and increase the risk of side effects.
- Risk of addiction: Since this medication is related to the Opioid class, there is a risk of addiction with long-term use. Therefore, always use it only in the dosage and for the duration prescribed by your doctor.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, Eluxadoline can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| Side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Pancreatitis | Severe pain in the upper abdomen that spreads to the back, pain that increases when eating or touching the stomach, fever, nausea, and vomiting. |
| Severe constipation | Not being able to go to the toilet for more than 3 days. |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Severe stomach ache | Any other type of unbearable stomach pain not mentioned above. |
| Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (but tell your doctor if they persist) | |
| Nausea/vomiting | It may occur in the first few days after starting the medication. |
| Dizziness | It can be controlled by resting and moving slowly. |
| Flatulence/Gas | This is also a common situation. |
| Runny nose/nasal congestion | Symptoms may resemble those of a cold. |
Take-Home Message
- Eluxadoline is a special medication used to treat IBS accompanied by diarrhea.
- This medicine should always be taken with a meal . Do not take it on an empty stomach.
- Avoid taking this medicine if you have had your gallbladder surgically removed, drink alcohol excessively, or have previously had pancreatitis. Be sure to tell your doctor about this.
- If constipation occurs while taking the medication and persists for more than 3 days, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid driving and performing tasks that require alertness as drowsiness and dizziness may occur. Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking the medication.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else. Always follow your doctor's instructions.
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