Most drugs are ineffective for the long-term treatment of
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The beneficial effects of medical treatment of IBS are poor and last for only a relative short time. Over a period of 6 months, we investigated the effectiveness of
cimetropium bromide, a new
antimuscarinic compound, in patients with IBS. Forty-eight patients were treated at random and in double-blind fashion with
cimetropium bromide (50 mg, tid) or placebo for 6 months. Personal diary cards and monthly check-ups guaranteed the monitoring of symptoms (mainly
pain). In addition, personality patterns (MHQ-CBA tests) were obtained for the patients before and after
therapy, both to detect possible psychoneurotic traits and to observe the changes in these traits in relation to the changes in
pain symptoms. Three patients on placebo and one on
cimetropium dropped out. At the end of
therapy,
pain scores had decreased an average of 16% in the placebo group and 87% in the
cimetropium group (p less than 0.01). Twenty patients (87%) on
cimetropium versus five patients (24%) on placebo considered themselves to be globally improved (p less than 0.01). The MHQ test showed significant improvement in the anxiety score in the
cimetropium group only. The CBA test confirmed a significant decrease in anxiety state (STAI-X-1) after
cimetropium treatment. Eleven patients (48%) on
cimetropium reported side effects (mainly dry mouth and
sleepiness), but none withdrew from the study. The results of this trial indicate that long-term treatment of IBS with
cimetropium bromide significantly improves symptoms and associated psychological disorders.