Premium
Failure of enteric‐coated peppermint oil in the irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized, double‐blind crossover study
Author(s) -
LAWSON M. J.,
KNIGHT R. E.,
TRAN K.,
WALKER G.,
ROBERTSTHOMSON I. C.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.1988.tb00244.x
Subject(s) - medicine , irritable bowel syndrome , bloating , placebo , crossover study , defecation , enteric coated , gastroenterology , double blind , randomized controlled trial , diarrhea , pathology , alternative medicine
Enteric‐coated capsules containing peppermint oil were compared with placebo in a double‐blind crossover trial involving 25 patients with the irritable bowel syndrome, carefully selected for the predominance of colonic symptoms. Patients were randomly allocated to receive active drug or placebo, three capsules per day, for 4 weeks and then changed to the alternative medication for a further 4 weeks. Symptom scores were assessed by the patient using visual analogue scales. While on peppermint oil, there was a small but statistically significant increase in stool frequency but no significant change in scores for global severity or scores for the specific symptoms of pain, bloating, urgent defecation and the sensation of incomplete evacuation. Seven patients failed to complete the study, three because of perianal burning associated with peppermint oil. Enteric‐coated capsules containing peppermint oil are unhelpful in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome and prominent colonic symptoms.