ATC Group: A03A DRUGS FOR FUNCTIONAL BOWEL DISORDERS

Alosetron is a potent and selective 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist. 5-HT₃ receptors are ligand-gated cation channels that are extensively distributed on enteric neurons in the human gastrointestinal tract, as well as other peripheral and central locations.

Alverine is a drug used for functional gastrointestinal disorders. Alverine is a smooth muscle relaxant used to relieve cramps or spasms of the stomach and intestines. It acts directly on the muscle in the gut, causing it to relax. It is used in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. It has a role as an antispasmodic drug.

Dicyclomine relieves smooth muscle spasm of the gastrointestinal tract and is used for the treatment of patients with functional bowel/irritable bowel syndrome. It can inhibit the secretion of saliva and sweat, decrease gastrointestinal secretions and motility, cause drowsiness, dilate the pupils, increase heart rate, and depress motor function.

Dimeticone is used in many pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations. A 4% concentration has been found to affect the physico-physiological activity of lice.

Fenoverine is a calcium antagonist that inhibits the calcium channels at significant sites in the calcium transport system. It stops the rapid calcium influx through the voltage-dependent channels and inhibits the rapid calcium release from the intracellular storage sites. This induces an effect on the strong (transient and prolonged), asynchronous spasmodic contractions. Fenoverine is a potent, musculotropic, spasmolytic agent that affects primarily the gastrointestinal tract, bile duct, and female genital organs.

Glycopyrronium is an inhaled long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonist (anticholinergic) for once-daily maintenance bronchodilator treatment of COPD. Glycopyrronium works by blocking the bronchoconstrictor action of acetylcholine on airway smooth muscle cells, thereby dilating the airways.

Mebeverine is a musculotropic antispasmodic with a direct action on the smooth muscle of the gastrointestinal tract, relieving spasm without affecting normal gut motility.

Otilonium is endowed with a marked spasmolytic action on the smooth muscle of the digestive tract.

Prifinium is an anticholinergic preferably acting at muscarinic receptors in the gastrointestinal tract. Prifinium’s mechanism of action is believed to be due to its activity as an antispasmodic agent. It is used primarily in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Propantheline inhibits parasympathetic activity by blocking the action of the neurohormone, acetylcholine, on the neuroeffector cell. This blocking action of propantheline is instrumental in reducing gastric acid secretion and gastrointestinal motor activity.

Simethicone is a chemically inert, non-systemic gastric defoaming agent that works by altering the elasticity of interfaces of mucus-embedded bubbles in the gastrointestinal tract. The gas bubbles are thus broken down or coalesced and in this form gas is more easily eliminated through eructation or passing flatus.

Trimebutine maleate is a noncompetitive spasmolytic agent. It possesses moderate opiate receptor affinity and has a marked antiserotonin activity especially on ‘M’ receptors. It induces regulation of spontaneous activity and increases synchronization between electrophysiological spikes and contractions in isolated guinea pig taenia coli and ileum. However, it does not alter normal motility, but regulates abnormal intestinal activity.