For diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, which medication is commonly used to reduce stool frequency?

Prepare for the NBME Form 10 Step 2 Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Ace your exam preparation!

Multiple Choice

For diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, which medication is commonly used to reduce stool frequency?

Diarrhea-predominant IBS is best treated with something that directly slows gut transit to lessen stool frequency. Loperamide acts on mu-opioid receptors in the enteric nervous system to slow peristalsis, increasing transit time and reducing the number of stools with minimal systemic effects, making it a common first-line choice for decreasing stool frequency in IBS-D. Diphenoxylate also slows motility but has more abuse potential and anticholinergic/central effects, so it’s less preferred as a routine IBS-D remedy. Alosetron is reserved for severe IBS-D in women after other treatments have failed because of serious risks like ischemic colitis, and psyllium serves mainly as a fiber supplement to improve stool consistency rather than specifically reducing stool frequency.

For diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, which medication is commonly used to reduce stool frequency?

Prepare for the NBME Form 10 Step 2 Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Ace your exam preparation!

For diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, which medication is commonly used to reduce stool frequency?

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