Pass on the following advice to help customers manage symptoms of IBS with recommended treatments:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can trigger a range of symptoms, including bloating, constipation, cramps, diarrhoea, flatulence and feelings of tiredness. These symptoms might come and go, but IBS tends to stay with a person for life. Customers experiencing new symptoms of suspected IBS should be referred to the pharmacist. 

Treatment will depend on the symptoms being experienced at the time. They include antispasmodics such as hyoscine butylbromide for stomach cramps and spasms (e.g. Buscopan), loperamide for diarrhoea and laxatives for constipation (see opposite for details on these options). Peppermint oil (e.g. Colpermin) may also provide relief from IBS symptoms.

Customers may also want to try adjusting their diet or taking nutritional supplements that may help support their digestion.