Review article: current and future treatment approaches for IBS with constipation

Background Multiple efficacious therapies are currently available for treating irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). IBS-C specific survey tools that assess symptom relief, treatment satisfaction, and quality of life are important for gauging real-world effectiveness. Aims/Methods This article reviews clinical trial efficacy data as well as survey data on adequate relief and quality of life from pivotal trials for lubiprostone, linaclotide, plecanatide, tenapanor, and tegaserod. A brief discussion of agents in development with novel mechanisms of action is also provided. Results/Conclusions Quality of life and symptom metrics should be standardized and continue to be represented in future IBS-C trials. The choice of agent should be tailored to probability of improving symptoms, safety, tolerability, and cost.

Automated summary

This article reviews clinical trial efficacy data and survey data on several treatments for IBS-C, emphasizing the importance of standardizing quality of life and symptom metrics in future trials and tailoring treatment selection based on symptom improvement probability, safety, tolerability, and cost.