• Antidiarrheals - loperamide (Imodium), diphenoxylate (Lomotil and other brand names)

• Antispasmodics to reduce cramping - dicyclomine (Bentyl)

• Pain-reducing agents - amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin)

One other medication is available to treat severe symptoms. Alosetron (Lotronex) is used to treat women with IBS who have very severe diarrhea. If you take this medication, you have to receive it from a specialist with experience using the medication (the doctor must register with the drug manufacturer and receive training to be a prescriber) and you must sign a form stating that you are aware that life-threatening complications of a blocked, ruptured or damaged bowel may be caused by this medicine.