Antianxiety agents for irritable bowel syndrome

Antianxiety agents (benzodiazepines) are used to treat anxiety and panic disorder. They are appropriate for occasional short-term use to help relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They may not be as useful for long-term use, because they may interact with other drugs and they may be habit-forming. Most of the following medications are appropriate for occasional use to help relieve symptoms of IBS.

• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride (Librium)
• Chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride and clidinium bromide (Librax)
• Clonazepam (Klonopin)
• Clorazepate dipotassium (Gen-Xene, Tranxene)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Oxazepam (Serax)

Buspirone hydrochloride (BuSpar) is not a benzodiazepine but is sometimes used to treat anxiety and IBS.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)