Experiences with

Mebeverine

Mebeverine (sometimes called mebeverine hydrochloride) is a type of medicine known as an antispasmodic. It helps with muscle spasms.

It can be used to ease painful stomach cramps if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other conditions. It works by relaxing certain muscles in your gut.

Mebeverine comes as tablets or slow-release capsules (also called modified release).

It's available on prescription. You can also buy mebeverine tablets for IBS symptoms at a pharmacy without a prescription, but only if you've been diagnosed with IBS.

Mebeverine is also available mixed with a laxative called ispaghula husk (brand name Fybogel Mebeverine). If you have IBS you can take this to treat constipation.

Who can take mebeverine

Most adults and children aged 10 years and over can take mebeverine.

It's sometimes prescribed for children aged 3 years old and over.

Who may not be able to take mebeverine

Mebeverine is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell a doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to mebeverine or any other medicine
• have constipation caused by a condition called paralytic ileus (an inactive gut)
• have a rare inherited condition that means you cannot digest galactose (a sugar found in lactose)
• are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding

Before buying Colofac IBS without a prescription, check with a pharmacist or doctor first if you:

• are aged 40 years old or over
• have blood in your poo
• are feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
• have lost your appetite or have recently lost weight
• are looking paler than usual and feeling tired
• have unusual vaginal bleeding or vaginal discharge
• have (or think you may have) food poisoning, especially if you have recently travelled abroad

Only take Colofac IBS if a doctor has diagnosed you with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Dosage

Doses vary depending on whether you're taking tablets or capsules. Try to space doses evenly throughout the day.

Mebeverine comes as standard tablets (135mg) or slow-release capsules (200mg).

Dosage for standard tablets (135mg)

The usual dose for standard tablets is 1 tablet, taken 3 times a day.

Dosage for slow-release capsules (200mg)

The usual dose for slow-release capsules is 1 capsule, taken twice a day.

How to take it

It's best to take your mebeverine 20 minutes before a meal. If you take it twice a day, take it before breakfast and your evening meal. If you take it 3 times a day, take it before breakfast, lunch and your evening meal.

Swallow the tablet or capsule whole with a drink of water.

How long to take it for

You'll usually only take mebeverine if you're having a flare-up of your irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms. Stop taking mebeverine when you feel better. This may take up to 2 weeks.

Talk to a doctor if your symptoms are no better after taking mebeverine for 2 weeks, or if they get worse at any time.

If you forget to take it

If you miss a dose of mebeverine, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

If you take more than the recommended dose of mebeverine, it's unlikely to harm you.

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you're worried.

Mild side effects

It happens rarely, but some people may get a mild itchy skin rash from mebeverine.

If this happens to you, it may help to take an antihistamine, which you can buy from a pharmacy. Check with a pharmacist to see what type is suitable for you.

Stop taking mebeverine if this side effect bothers you or does not go away. Ask a pharmacist or doctor whether they can recommend a different medicine.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, mebeverine can cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

These are not all the side effects of mebeverine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

Mebeverine and pregnancy

Mebeverine is not usually recommended during pregnancy. Although it's not known to be harmful, more information is needed to confirm that it's safe.

If you're trying to get pregnant or you're already pregnant, talk to your doctor about the benefits and possible risks of taking mebeverine.

Mebeverine and breastfeeding

You can usually take mebeverine while you're breastfeeding.

It's not known how much mebeverine gets into breast milk, but it's thought to be a small amount, and unlikely to cause side effects in babies.

If you notice that your baby is not feeding as well as usual, or if you have any other concerns about your baby, talk to your midwife, health visitor or doctor as soon as possible.

Mebeverine and fertility

There's no evidence to suggest that taking mebeverine reduces fertility in men or women.

Cautions with other medicines

It's safe to take mebeverine with most prescription medicines, and everyday painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen.

However, it's generally best not to take it together with other remedies for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as these medicines work in the same way.

Do not take more than 1 IBS remedy at a time, unless a doctor says it's OK. You're unlikely to get extra relief for your symptoms, and it may cause more side effects.

Mixing mebeverine with herbal remedies and supplements

There's not enough information to say that complementary medicines and herbal remedies are safe to take with mebeverine. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They're generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

Related links

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence