Antidepressants
Primary tabs
| Brand Name | Generic name | IBS type | Type | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celexa® | citalopram | IBS-C | Prescription | Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). May alleviate the abdominal pain and associated symptoms of IBS. Side effect of diarrhea may be helpful for IBS-C. | Link |
| Cymbalta® | duloxetine | IBS-A | Prescription | Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI). Helpful for managing pain and maybe for constipation or diarrhea. Effective in treating pain like the TCA's but without the side effects of TCA's. | Link |
| Desyrel® | trazodone | IBS-D | Prescription | Serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI). | Link |
| Effexor® | venlafaxine | IBS-A | Prescription | Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI). Helpful for managing pain and maybe for constipation or diarrhea. Effective in treating pain like the TCA's but without the side effects of TCA's. | Link |
| Elavil® | amitriptyline | IBS-D | Prescription | Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). Usually recommended when antispasmodic medicines have not been able to control the symptoms of pain and cramping. Common side-effect of constipation can be helpful for IBS-D. | Link |
| Lexapro® | escitalopram | IBS-C | Prescription | Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). May alleviate the abdominal pain and associated symptoms of IBS. Side effect of diarrhea may be helpful for IBS-C. | Link |
| Norpramin® / Pertofrane® | desipramine | IBS-D | Prescription | Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). Usually recommended when antispasmodic medicines have not been able to control the symptoms of pain and cramping. Common side-effect of constipation can be helpful for IBS-D. Less unwanted side-effects than Elavil®. | Link |
| Pamelor® / Aventyl® | nortriptyline | IBS-D | Prescription | Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). Usually recommended when antispasmodic medicines have not been able to control the symptoms of pain and cramping. Common side-effect of constipation can be helpful for IBS-D. Less unwanted side-effects than Elavil®. | Link |
| Paxil® | paroxetine | IBS-C | Prescription | Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). May alleviate the abdominal pain and associated symptoms of IBS. Side effect of diarrhea may be helpful for IBS-C. | Link |
| Pristiq® | desvenlafaxine | IBS-A | Prescription | Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI). Helpful for managing pain and maybe for constipation or diarrhea. Effective in treating pain like the TCA's but without the side effects of TCA's. | Link |
| Prozac® | fluoxetine | IBS-C | Prescription | Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). May alleviate the abdominal pain and associated symptoms of IBS. Side effect of diarrhea may be helpful for IBS-C. | Link |
| Remeron® | mirtazapine | IBS-D | Prescription | Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA). Can also be classified as a tetracyclic antidepressant (TeCA). | Link |
| Savella® | milnacipram | IBS-A | Prescription | Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI). Helpful for managing pain and maybe for constipation or diarrhea. Effective in treating pain like the TCA's but without the side effects of TCA's. | Link |
| Tofranil® | imipramine | IBS-D | Prescription | Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA). Usually recommended when antispasmodic medicines have not been able to control the symptoms of pain and cramping. Common side-effect of constipation can be helpful for IBS-D. | Link |
| Wellbutrin® / Zyban® | bupropion | IBS-D | Prescription | Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI). | Link |
| Zoloft® | sertraline | IBS-C | Prescription | Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). May alleviate the abdominal pain and associated symptoms of IBS. Side effect of diarrhea may be helpful for IBS-C. | Link |
