Mebeverine hydrochloride is a type of medicine known as an antispasmodic. It helps with muscle spasms.

It can be used to ease painful stomach cramps if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other conditions.

Mebeverine comes as tablets or slow-release capsules (also called modified release). It is sometimes available as a liquid if you have trouble swallowing tablets.

It is available on prescription. You can buy mebeverine tablets for IBS symptoms at a pharmacy.

Brand names for mebeverine include Colofac, Colofac IBS and Aurobeverine.

Mebeverine is also available mixed with ispaghula husk (brand name Fybogel Mebeverine) If you have IBS you can take this to treat constipation.

• Take mebeverine 20 minutes before you have a meal.
• It works by relaxing certain muscles in your gut.
• Mebeverine starts to work after 1 hour.
• Mebeverine is generally safe and you're unlikely to have side effects. Some people may get an itchy rash (hives).

Mebeverine can be taken by most adults and children aged 10 years and over.

Mebeverine is not suitable for some people. Tell a doctor or pharmacist before taking mebeverine if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to mebeverine or any other medicines in the past
• have constipation caused by a condition called paralytic ileus (an inactive gut)
• have a rare inherited condition that means you cannot digest galactose (a sugar found in lactose)
• are trying for a baby, pregnant or breastfeeding

Before buying Colofac IBS without a prescription, check with a pharmacist or doctor first if you:

• are 40 years or over
• have blood in your poo
• are feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
• have lost your appetite or have recently lost weight
• are looking pale and feeling tired
• have unusual vaginal bleeding or vaginal discharge
• have (or think you may have) food poisoning, especially if you have recently travelled abroad

Doses vary depending on whether you are taking tablets, capsules or liquid. Try to space doses evenly throughout the day.

Standard-release tablets (135mg): the usual dose is 1 tablet, taken 3 times a day

Slow-release capsules (200mg): the usual dose is 1 tablet, taken twice a day

How to take it

It's best to take your mebeverine 20 minutes before a meal. If you take it twice a day, take it before breakfast and dinner. If you take it 3 times a day, take it before breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Swallow the tablet or capsule whole with a drink of water.

How long will I take it for?

You will usually only take mebeverine if you are having a flare-up of your IBS symptoms. Stop taking mebeverine when you feel better. This may take up to 2 weeks.

Talk to a doctor if your symptoms are no better after taking mebeverine for 2 weeks, or if they get worse at any time.

What if I forget to take it?

If you miss a dose of mebeverine, skip the missed dose and take the next one as usual.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

What if I take too much?

If you take too much mebeverine by accident, it is unlikely to harm you.

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you're worried.

Like all medicines, mebeverine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Any side effects are likely to be mild and will usually pass quickly.

It happens rarely, but some people may get a mild itchy skin rash or swelling.

If this happens to you, it may help to take an antihistamine, which you can buy from a pharmacy. Check with a pharmacist to see what type is suitable for you.

Stop taking mebeverine if this side effect bothers you or does not go away. Ask a pharmacist or doctor whether they can recommend a different medicine.

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, mebeverine can cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

These are not all the side effects of mebeverine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

Mebeverine is not usually recommended in pregnancy. This is because there is not enough information to say whether it is safe or not.

If you're trying to get pregnant or you're already pregnant, talk to your doctor about the benefits and possible risks of taking mebeverine.

Find out more about how mebeverine can affect you and your baby during pregnancy on the best use of medicine in pregnancy (BUMPS) website.

Mebeverine and breastfeeding

It is usually safe to breastfeed while taking mebeverine.

Some of the medicine may pass into your breast milk. However, this is in small amounts and unlikely to harm your baby.

Talk to a doctor if you want to breastfeed while taking mebeverine. They can advise you on what's best for you and your baby.

It's safe to take mebeverine with most prescription medicines, and everyday painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen.

However, it's generally best not to take it together with other IBS remedies, as these medicines work in the same way.

Do not take more than 1 IBS remedy at a time, unless a doctor advises otherwise. You're unlikely to get extra relief for your symptoms, and it may cause more side effects.

Mixing mebeverine with herbal remedies and supplements

There's very little information about taking herbal medicines and supplements with mebeverine.