Antibiotics, Antidepressants, what else can we use for IBS-D?

[Annie Brohman]

Has anyone on here try antibiotics ( Zaxine) if so how did it work? I have try it for the pass two weeks but today is my first day without. So far so good. Also has anyone try an antidepressants for IBS-D if so how did they work? 

[Annie Brohman]

I would also like to know what the doctors have come up with for those of us that do suffer from IBS. I don’t know about anyone else but I know I don’t want to leave my house, until they come up with something for us Canadian. I need to know that I am close to a bathroom all the time.

[Jeffrey Roberts]

A lot of people have used Zaxine (Xifaxin in the US). If you search on this forum you will see the recommendations of how it worked for them.

I am using 25 mg of amitriptyline. It has been my mainstay treatment for 20+ years for IBS-D. Does it work perfectly, no. Does it help abdominal pain and urgency and liquid stool, yes - most times. Antidepressants are widely used in Canada to manage IBS. You should realize that it might take 4-6 weeks for them to really make a difference. Also, you might have to try different antidepressants until you find the right one.

If you do not feel comfortable leaving the house, which is not uncommon, imodium or lomotil are easy options. Know that lomotil is considered a narcotic. Sadly, there are much fewer options in Canada than in the US. One that is starting to be used off-label is ondansetron (zofran). If your doctor is familiar with using it for IBS, it works very well for many people. Doses are 4-8 mg up to 3 times daily.

[CathyCat]

Hi Jeffrey:

My doctor prescribed Xifaxan for me and even though I have prescription coverage by Cigna the cost to pick it up at the pharmacy was $750.  I was shocked and didn’t have the presence of mind to ask if that was the cost with coverage or whether the claim hadn’t gone through properly.  Can you weigh in on the cost of this med?  Is there an alternative?

Thanks

Cathy

[Annie Brohman]

Just to let any Canadian ppl know I just got a call from my doctor letting me know that verberzi is now available back in Canada. Just need to contact your pharmacy to see when they might have a supply in stock. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart ❤️ when all the answers that I have gotten over the past few months especially Jeffery for all your help thank you 🙏. I will definitely be staying on this site to help me out. 🙏🙏🫂💕

[Ursula M]

Hi!  I've been taking Zoloft (effective for my depression) for many years.  I had a follow-up medication appointment today and asked my psychiatrist about other or additional options when experiencing flare-ups.  When I have IBS (combined), it causes me so much pain that it triggers a trauma response in my body (fight or flight, loss of control), horrible anxiety, and increases my depressive symptoms.  Then comes the nausea, which for me is the absolute worst.  All of this happens mostly in the morning, for almost 2 weeks at a time.  He explained that when my IBS acts up, it may be impacting how my body metabolizes the Zoloft, which could be effective my ability to regulate my mood, hence the increased depression and anxiety.  He prescribed me Vistaril as needed when I have flare-ups.  This will hopefully calm down my nervous system and help me to deal with the pain and nausea better.  

I've also scheduled an acupuncture appointment for next week, which is something that has helped regulate my nervous system.  Building my tool box with different techniques - meditation, talk therapy, Eastern and Western medications.  I'll keep everyone posted on if the Vistaril is a good tool.  

[Chelsea L]

On 3/10/2023 at 5:48 PM, CathyCat said:

Hi Jeffrey:

My doctor prescribed Xifaxan for me and even though I have prescription coverage by Cigna the cost to pick it up at the pharmacy was $750.  I was shocked and didn’t have the presence of mind to ask if that was the cost with coverage or whether the claim hadn’t gone through properly.  Can you weigh in on the cost of this med?  Is there an alternative?

Thanks

Cathy

Cathy, I’ve had the same issues with getting Xifaxin, I live is CA, USA. The cost is absolutely insane. I found a company called canshipmeds.com and spoke to a pharmacist there who actually told me I could get the same meds shipped from a pharmacy in India for $75.00 plus $15.00 shipping. The pharmacist did the order for me over the phone with a doctors prescription (emailed or faxed..). The meds came within 2-3 weeks. I’ve done rounds of Xifaxin regularly for years now and they really work but I’m enraged by the cost! The pharmaceutical company that makes and distributes this drug in the US (and maybe other countries too I’m not sure) sets the price out of thin air, and insurance companies say there is no code for it - at least that’s what they told me. $750 is the cost WITH insurance. They are a bunch of crooks and criminals. But I hope you can do the canshipmeds.com like me! 

[CathyCat]

14 hours ago, Chelsea L said:

Cathy, I’ve had the same issues with getting Xifaxin, I live is CA, USA. The cost is absolutely insane. I found a company called canshipmeds.com and spoke to a pharmacist there who actually told me I could get the same meds shipped from a pharmacy in India for $75.00 plus $15.00 shipping. The pharmacist did the order for me over the phone with a doctors prescription (emailed or faxed..). The meds came within 2-3 weeks. I’ve done rounds of Xifaxin regularly for years now and they really work but I’m enraged by the cost! The pharmaceutical company that makes and distributes this drug in the US (and maybe other countries too I’m not sure) sets the price out of thin air, and insurance companies say there is no code for it - at least that’s what they told me. $750 is the cost WITH insurance. They are a bunch of crooks and criminals. But I hope you can do the canshipmeds.com like me! 

I will try that, Chelsea!  Thank you!  I really want to try this med.  My doctor cautioned me that there’s a good chance of relapse, but what the hell.  If it works for a while—I’ll take it!  
 

My insurance company said it was a “specialty” drug and their rules “allow” them to not cover it.  What a crock.

[CathyCat]

5 minutes ago, CathyCat said:

I will try that, Chelsea!  Thank you!  I really want to try this med.  My doctor cautioned me that there’s a good chance of relapse, but what the hell.  If it works for a while—I’ll take it!  
 

My insurance company said it was a “specialty” drug and their rules “allow” them to not cover it.  What a crock.

Oh, well, they DID actually cover it at $750.  They told me without insurance it would cost over 2K!

[Annie Brohman]

Good afternoon, just wondering if anyone knows if Viberzi has started to supply our pharmacies yet in canada. I just called my pharmacy and they still haven’t heard anything yet. 

[CathyCat]

On 3/18/2023 at 10:48 AM, CathyCat said:

Oh, well, they DID actually cover it at $750.  They told me without insurance it would cost over 2K!

 

On 3/18/2023 at 10:48 AM, CathyCat said:

Oh, well, they DID actually cover it at $750.  They told me without insurance it would cost over 2K!

Annie, I just ordered Xifaxan from your suggested pharmacy.  Thank you so much for the tip!

 

[CathyCat]

On 3/17/2023 at 8:26 PM, Chelsea L said:

Cathy, I’ve had the same issues with getting Xifaxin, I live is CA, USA. The cost is absolutely insane. I found a company called canshipmeds.com and spoke to a pharmacist there who actually told me I could get the same meds shipped from a pharmacy in India for $75.00 plus $15.00 shipping. The pharmacist did the order for me over the phone with a doctors prescription (emailed or faxed..). The meds came within 2-3 weeks. I’ve done rounds of Xifaxin regularly for years now and they really work but I’m enraged by the cost! The pharmaceutical company that makes and distributes this drug in the US (and maybe other countries too I’m not sure) sets the price out of thin air, and insurance companies say there is no code for it - at least that’s what they told me. $750 is the cost WITH insurance. They are a bunch of crooks and criminals. But I hope you can do the canshipmeds.com like me! 

Hi Chelsea, I just realized the reply I recently wrote should have been directed to you.  I contacted canshipmeds and now have an other in to India…just like you suggested.  I can’t thank you enough!

[Annie Brohman]

Hi ladies, just wondering how can I order Viberzi from your supplier if I live in Canada.