Lotronex Description

Irritable bowel syndrome with frequent diarrhea (IBS-D) can cost you to lose wages from being unable to attend work, make it difficult for you to go on holidays, shopping, or attend family events, and even cause you to isolate yourself so you don’t have to explain your many trips to the bathroom. If you are a woman and other treatments have failed, you should talk to your doctor about a prescription for Lotronex. There is no cure for IBS-D, but Lotronex may relieve your symptoms so you can start enjoying life with your family and friends. As of yet, it has not been confirmed if Lotronex will work for men or children under eighteen years of age without more testing.

Lotronex works as a potent and selective serotonin (5-HT3) antagonist. Serotonin and its receptors are found extensively on enteric neurons in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract and are believed to play an important part in increasing pain sensations and affecting bowel functions in women with IBS. It is believed that Lotronex blocks the action of serotonin at its receptor sites of your GI tract which slows the contractions of your colon in order to reduce diarrhea and relieve the painful cramping and bloating.

Conditions Treated by Lotronex

Although serotonin is sometimes referred to as a brain chemical, 80-90% of the serotonin in your body is found in your gut. Your enteric nervous system is embedded in the lining of your GI system and is able to work independently from your brain. It has even been described as a second brain and consists of approximately 100 million neurons while your actual brain only has about 1/1,000 of that number.

Due to certain inadequacies of the serotonin transporter in the cells lining your bowel, serotonin will stay around longer than usual and can trigger symptoms of IBS-D, such as cramps, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Lotronex helps to increase stool firmness and decrease stool frequency and provides relief from cramping and abdominal pain.

Before You Take Lotronex

Ask your doctor about the safety of taking Lotronex if you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding. Discuss other medical conditions or allergies you have and tell your doctor about any OTC or Rx drugs you currently take, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements to be certain Lotronex is right for you.

Warnings for Lotronex

Call your doctor if your IBS-D symptoms have not improved after four weeks of taking Lotronex. If you become constipated while taking Lotronex, stop taking it and speak with your doctor. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of a medication while taking Lotronex without consulting with your doctor as you may experience adverse effects.

Possible Side Effects of Lotronex

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Stomach pain or discomfort

Drugs Similar to Lotronex

• Xifaxan
• Bentyl