Peppermint Oil for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A randomized trial shows no overall efficacy, although a small-intestinal–release formulation was helpful for certain symptoms.

Antispasmodics and peppermint oil are recommended and widely used for overall symptom improvement in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS; Am J Gastroenterol 2018 Jun; 113 (suppl 2):1); however, the supporting evidence is sparse and derived from studies with methodological limitations.

In this multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, researchers assessed the efficacy and safety of two peppermint oil formulations in 190 patients meeting Rome IV IBS criteria (mean age, 34 years; 78% women; 96% Caucasian). Patients received identical-appearing capsules of 182 mg small-intestinal–release peppermint oil, 182 mg ileocolonic-release peppermint oil, or placebo for 8 weeks. The primary endpoints were abdominal pain response (per FDA …

Reviewing Author

Charles J. Kahi, MD, MS

Peppermint Oil for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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Reviewing Author