Mebeverine can be used to relieve the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) including painful spasms, diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence and bloating.

Mebeverine will help your gut and intestines return to a more natural rhythm and allow you to take pleasure in eating again. IBS disrupts your body’s natural rhythm, so it’s important to try to get back into balance to relieve symptoms and stress.

To help improve symptoms of IBS, Mebeverine should be taken 20 minutes before each meal. These tablets are available on prescription in boxes of 100 tablets they are suitable for adults over the age of 18 years.

IBS is a relatively common digestive system complaint that usually affects young adults and it is significantly more common amongst women than men, causing them to avoid certain foods or avoid eating in certain circumstances altogether. IBS can be made worse by diet and stress, and many people have recurring IBS flare-ups throughout their lives.

When someone has IBS, their gut and bowels painfully spasm whenever food passes through. This can lead to intense pain and feelings of discomfort that can be very distressing for anyone suffering from IBS making everyday life, socialising around food, and going to the toilet difficult.

Mebeverine tablets help control these stomach and bowel spasms and relieve cramping thanks to their active ingredient: mebeverine hydrochloride that is antispasmodic, preventing spasms and cramps from occurring in the smooth muscles such as those found in the lining of the bowels. Mebeverine can also help to relieve spasms associated with the following conditions:

• Chronic irritable colon
• Spastic constipation
• Mucous colitis
• Spastic colitis

You may have heard of Mebeverine tablets as Colofac, which is the branded version of the same IBS treatment. Both treatments have the same active ingredient: mebeverine hydrochloride. Mebeverine is cheaper than Colofac but just as effective, so it’s become a popular choice for many IBS sufferers.

Some foods and drinks can make your IBS worse, like fizzy drinks and sugar, so it’s important that you also look into lifestyle changes as well as taking pharmaceutical IBS treatments like these tablets. Making a food diary may be helpful in identifying the triggers of your IBS. It is also essential that you stay hydrated and avoid missing meals. For more treatment advice take a look at our Advice for IBS page.

• Mebeverine 135mg Tablets, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/e...
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/...
• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/m...

Take 1 tablet up to three times a day, ideally around 20 minutes before your usual main meals. Swallow each tablet with plenty of water – do not chew them.

Unless you have been specifically advised by your doctor, only take this medicine when needed. This means that you should only take it once your symptoms begin to flare up and stop taking it when they subside. This can take a couple of weeks.

If your symptoms have not improved after two weeks, or if they get worse, you should stop using this medicine and contact your doctor.

For more information about taking Mebeverine, take a look at our ‘Mebeverine Dosage’ guide.

The active ingredient is:

• Mebeverine hydrochloride 135mg

Mebeverine tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients to make up the complete product:

• Lactose monohydrate
• Cellulose, microcrystalline
• Povidone
• Sodium Starch Glycolate
• Talc
• Magnesium Stearate
• Water purified
• Opadry white Y-1-7000 containing the following;
• Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (E464)
• Titanium Dioxide (E171)
• Polyethylene Glycol

Please note that Mebeverine 135mg tablets are a generic medicine and as such are made by many manufacturers. The above ingredients are a representation of one manufacturer, however, tablets made by other manufacturers may contain different inactive ingredients, including allergens. Please check the patient information leaflet before you take any treatment for a full list of ingredients.

Not everyone will experience side effects when they taking this medicine, however if you do they may include:

• Skin irritations
• Bloating
• Dry mouth
• Heartburn

Allergic reactions, mainly but not exclusively limited to the skin, have been reported.

Immune system disorders:

• Hypersensitivity (anaphylactic reactions)

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:

• Urticaria
• Angioedema
• Face oedema
• Exanthema

If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it immediately and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

For more information, why not take a look at our dedicated Mebeverine side effects guide.

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product.

• Mebeverine is unsuitable for you if you may be allergic to any of its ingredients.
• Inform your GP if you plan on taking Mebeverine and have kidney or liver problems.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. There is only limited information about the safety of Mebeverine for pregnant women.

Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.