Dicetel® (pinaverium bromide) is one of Solvay Pharmaceuticals’ drugs for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the first available drug with a specific effect on calcium channels. It acts by relaxing the smooth muscle of the bowel and is now used by millions of patients. Dicetel® contributes to Solvay Pharmaceuticals’ leading position in the market of gastrointestinal spasmolytics.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Statistically one out of 10 people suffers from IBS. It is one of the most common conditions seen by gastroenterologists. Almost any person of any age may be vulnerable to IBS, including children who often have some other symptoms. IBS is seen twice as often in women, than it is in men. Only a small group of sufferers actually consults a physician.

There are a wide range of symptoms for IBS. Although chronic and disordered bowel habit are the cardinal features, there are also a large number of non-colonic symptoms that may occur.

Symptoms that may be present in patients with IBS are abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distension or flatulence, rectal mucus, sensation of incomplete evacuation. Other symptoms are heartburn, dyspepsia, nausea, early satiety and excessive belching.

Abdominal pain: the pain can fluctuate considerably in intensity and frequency. It can be chronic or frequently recurring or there can be pain-free periods or only mild discomfort. It can take many forms: it can be nagging, colicky, sharp or dull.
Abdominal pain after a meal is a frequent complaint, together with bloating, excessive flatulence and exacerbation of diarrhoea. Pain is often relieved after defecation.

Defecatory symptoms: The types of disturbed bowel habit associated with IBS include diarrhoea, constipation or an alternation of the two.
Patients also often suffer from a feeling of incomplete evacuation (emptying).

Abdominal distension: The abdominal distension can occur from a mild swelling of the belly to a very large one. It is often accompanied by audible bowel sounds or excessive flatulence.

The cause of IBS is unknown. However, it is generally believed to involve an underlying disturbance of colonic motility (smooth muscle spasm).

Visit our website http://www.solvay-ibs.com for more information on IBS