title: Pharmacotherapy: non-serotonergic mechanisms.
abstract: Antidepressants rapidly relieve pain in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and are effective at low doses. Noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors appear to be more effective than selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitors, suggesting that pathways other than those modulated by serotonin may be involved in visceral sensation. Visceral sensitivity is reduced by both centrally and peripherally acting opioids, suggesting the possible existence of an endogenous opioid deficiency in patients with IBS. The alpha(2) adrenoceptor antagonist clonidine, as well as somatostatin, oxytocin, and possibly amitriptyline have also been shown to act as visceral analgesics. As knowledge increases, there are undoubtedly many other possible targets, and new drugs currently undergoing development may provide future benefit in patients with IBS.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Notttingham, UK. robin.spiller@nottingham.ac.uk
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Spiller
mesh_terms: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D012677:Sensation / Q000187:drug effects*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017833:Visceral Afferents / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors