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mebeverine + ispaghula (Colven)

✓ Approved

Reckitt · CHRM1 · Small Molecule

What is mebeverine + ispaghula?

mebeverine + ispaghula is a small molecule developed by Reckitt. It is approved for therapeutic indications via oral (po).

Drug Profile

Brand NamesColven
CompanyReckitt
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetCHRM1, CHRM2, CHRM3, CHRM4
RouteOral (PO)
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Reckitt

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

mebeverine + ispaghula acts on 4 molecular targets:

CHRM1cholinergic receptor muscarinic 1 (M1, HM1)
CHRM2cholinergic receptor muscarinic 2 (HM2)
CHRM3cholinergic receptor muscarinic 3 (HM3, PBS)
CHRM4cholinergic receptor muscarinic 4 (HM4, M4R)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

mebeverine + ispaghula is developed for 4 unique indications across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Gastrointestinal disordersColitis ulcerative✓ Approved
Gastrointestinal disordersCrohn's disease✓ Approved
Gastrointestinal disordersGastritis✓ Approved
Gastrointestinal disordersIrritable bowel syndrome✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedLife (Basel, Switzerland)2026-09-26

Comparative Effectiveness of Mebeverine and Otilonium Bromide on Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Luu Anh Thi Phuong ATP, Vo Thong Duy TD

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder that significantly impairs patients' quality of life. Antispasmodics such as mebeverine and otilonium bromide (OB) are commonly used as first-line therapies; however, comparative evidence regarding their effectiveness and safety profile remains limited. This study aimed to compare short-term changes in health-related quality of life and the occurrence of adverse events among IBS patients receiving mebeverine or otilonium bromide. A prospective cohort study was conducted from December 2024 to July 2025 among 110 IBS patients meeting the Rome IV criteria who received either mebeverine 200 mg or OB 40 mg twice daily for 4 weeks. The IBS-specific quality-of-life questionnaire (IBS-QOL) was interviewer-administered at baseline and after treatment (week 4). Adverse drug events were documented and classified according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE). After 4 weeks, significant within-group improvements in the overall IBS-QOL score and most domain scores were observed in both treatment groups. In the unadjusted between-group analysis, the mean improvement in the overall IBS-QOL score was greater in the mebeverine group than in the otilonium bromide group (20.31 ± 13.17 vs. 14.62 ± 14.61; p = 0.034). However, treatment group was not independently associated with change in the overall IBS-QOL score after multivariable adjustment (OB vs. mebeverine: B = -4.63, 95% CI -10.28 to 1.02; p = 0.107). Nominal differences in activity interference and health worry did not remain statistically significant after Holm correction for multiple domain-level comparisons. Adverse events occurred in 9 of 110 patients (8.2%), with no significant difference between the mebeverine and otilonium bromide groups (11.7% vs. 4.0%; Fisher's exact p = 0.178). All reported events were mild. In this prospective observational cohort, both mebeverine and otilonium bromide use was associated with short-term improvement in health-related quality of life and low rates of mild adverse events. Although the unadjusted change in the overall IBS-QOL score favored mebeverine, the adjusted analysis did not establish an independent difference between the two treatments.

PMID 42795257
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PubMedActa clinica Belgica2026-09-07

Urinary false-positive ecstasy screening by Mebeverine Metabolite: a confirmatory study and controlled administration.

Moncef Bounab B, Tassadit Mechalikh Rahima MR, Cheima Boussebt B, Salima Ettaieb Errahmani EE et al.

Urinary immunochromatographic tests (ICTs) are first-line tools for psychoactive substance screening in clinical and forensic settings. Their limited specificity, however, predisposes them to cross-reactive interferences generating false-positive results.We report three consecutive cases of false-positive 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) results on rapid urinary ICT screening attributable to therapeutic mebeverine use, all confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Three patients admitted to emergency and intensive care units were all receiving mebeverine therapeutically.A 12-panel ICT (MDMA cut-off: 500 ng/mL) returned presumptive positive MDMA results in all three specimens. GC-MS confirmatory analysis detected neither MDMA nor its primary metabolite, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA). Mebeverine O-desmethyl-butanol was consistently identified in all three specimens. A spiking experiment with certified mebeverine hydrochloride at 3000 ng/mL yielded a negative ICT result, excluding the parent compound as the causative agent. A controlled single-dose administration experiment (200 mg oral mebeverine) produced positive MDMA ICT results in all four urine specimens collected between 4 and 13 hours post-ingestion; GC-MS confirmed mebeverine O-desmethyl-butanol as the sole mebeverine-derived compound identified, strongly implicating this metabolite in the observed cross-reactivity.Any positive MDMA immunochromatographic result in a patient receiving mebeverine must be confirmed by GC-MS or LC-MS/MS. Mebeverine and its metabolites should be incorporated into cross-reactivity documentation by ICT manufacturers.

PMID 42704114
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PubMedJournal of gastrointestinal and liver diseases : JGLD2026-07-19

From Visceral Pain to Emotional Distress: Comparative Effectiveness of Antispasmodics and Antidepressants in Irritable Bowel Syndrome - Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Ismaiel Abdulrahman A, Leucuta Daniel-Corneliu DC, Boitos Irina I, Foucambert Paul P et al.

Antispasmodics and antidepressants are standard therapies for managing both the gastrointestinal symptoms and psychological comorbidities associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, direct comparative evidence regarding their efficacy across different symptom domains is scarce. This systematic review and network meta-analysis aimed to assess the relative effectiveness of these agents on abdominal pain, psychological outcomes, overall IBS symptom severity, and quality of life (QoL). We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus to identify relevant randomized controlled trials evaluating antispasmodics and antidepressants for IBS. Eligible studies underwent quality assessment and were synthesized using network meta-analysis. We calculated standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for pain outcomes (VAS), anxiety, depression, the IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS), and QoL. Twenty-nine studies were included in the analysis. Significant reductions in pain (VAS) were observed with imipramine (SMD -34.06; 95%CI -51.89 to -16.22) and the alverine/simethicone combination (SMD -6.23; 95%CI -9.93 to -2.53), while mebeverine and anise oil showed benefits in specific IBS subgroups. The most substantial improvements in anxiety occurred with flupentixol-melitracen (SMD -6.63; 95%CI -10.13 to -3.13), followed by small-intestinal release peppermint oil, fluoxetine, and vortioxetine. Imipramine was most effective for depressive symptoms (SMD -9.40; 95%CI -10.29 to -8.51), followed by venlafaxine, flupentixol-melitracen, desipramine, and vortioxetine. Amitriptyline was the only agent to show significant improvement in IBS-SSS scores (SMD -23.70; 95%CI -43.27 to -4.13). The largest gains in QoL were associated with otilonium bromide (SMD 30.90; 95%CI 26.62 to 35.18), followed by venlafaxine, amitriptyline, and cumin sofouf. Imipramine and alverine/simethicone were superior for reducing abdominal pain, whereas flupentixol-melitracen, peppermint oil, fluoxetine, and vortioxetine demonstrated the strongest anxiolytic effects. Effective options for depression included imipramine, venlafaxine, flupentixol-melitracen, desipramine, and vortioxetine. Notably, amitriptyline uniquely improved overall IBS severity scores, while otilonium bromide, venlafaxine, amitriptyline, and cumin sofouf provided the greatest benefits for QoL. These findings clarify comparative efficacy and may guide tailored pharmacotherapy strategies for IBS patients.

PMID 42470701
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PubMedDrug development and industrial pharmacy2026-04-20

Enhancing dissolution of poorly water-soluble prednisolone via spray-dried arabinoxylan microspheres: a novel arabinoxylan-based drug delivery system.

Saravanan Muniyandy M, Gan Rowena R, Jia Rei Chin C, Ming Shin Neo N et al.

Prednisolone's poor aqueous solubility limits its oral bioavailability, necessitating the development of innovative formulation strategies. This study aimed to extract AX from ispaghula husk and develop AX-based spray-dried microspheres to improve prednisolone dissolution. AX was extracted from ispaghula husk, and its molecular weight was determined using gel permeation chromatography. Prednisolone-loaded AX microspheres (F1-F4) were prepared by spray drying and evaluated for drug loading, entrapment efficiency, and product yield. Structural and physicochemical characterization was performed using NMR, FTIR, SEM, and DSC. In vitro dissolution studies were conducted over 60 min. Initial and relative dissolution rates, along with similarity factor (f2) analysis, were used to compare formulations. Drug loading ranged from 3.7 to 15.63% w/w, with the highest values observed for F3 and F4. Entrapment efficiency increased with drug loading, ranging from 15.85% (F1) to 36.43% (F4), while product yield ranged from 52.4 to 63.1% w/w. NMR confirmed drug stability following spray drying. SEM revealed irregular, rough-surfaced microspheres and reduced drug particle size. FTIR demonstrated drug-polymer compatibility, and DSC indicated drug amorphization. Formulations F3 and F4 achieved >72% dissolution within 60 min, exceeding pure prednisolone (26.8%) and the commercial tablet (49.9%). Similarity factor analysis indicated that F1 was closest to the marketed product, whereas F3 and F4 exhibited superior dissolution rates. Spray-dried AX microspheres significantly enhanced prednisolone dissolution, highlighting AX as a biocompatible, scalable, and promising excipient for poorly water-soluble drugs.

PMID 42003571
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PubMedCurrent nutrition reports2026-02-26

From Husks and Seeds to Health: an Inevitable Outcome Rather than a Fluke.

Sanlier Nevin N, Ozler Ebru E

This review was conducted to examine the promising health benefits of psyllium, its therapeutic potential in relation to various chronic diseases, its mechanisms, and its possible side effects or toxicity; to explore its applications in food systems; to identify the positive and negative effects of its consumption; and to provide perspectives for future research and development efforts for psyllium. Psyllium, also known as ispaghula, is a dietary fiber obtained from the shells of Plantago ovata seeds. The most abundant monosaccharides in its composition are xylose and arabinose. Psyllium is a natural alternative to the use of food additives such as gum and hydrocolloid to increase the fiber content in fortified foods. Psyllium may have therapeutic effects on various diseases. In recent years, its potential in the management of conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and liver disease has been emphasized and multifaceted therapeutic applications have been introduced. Psyllium may help to regulate blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It may also increase feelings of fullness and reduce food intake. Furthermore, psyllium may promote bowel regularity and improve the composition of gut microbiota. Psyllium has been reported to exhibit antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, as well as reducing inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and nitric oxide. Furthermore, psyllium has been associated with lower creatinine and uric acid levels, as well as a reduced risk of carcinogenesis. Studies in the literature support the therapeutic effects of psyllium. However, longer-term clinical trials are needed to determine the effective dose and duration of use. Innovative product development studies should be conducted to enhance the functional benefits of psyllium in the food industry.

PMID 41741921
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PubMedThe Journal of international medical research2026-01-14

Evaluation of safety and efficacy of the combination of mebeverine and sulpiride in treatment of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders: A prospective cohort.

El-Kassas Mohamed M, Tawheed Ahmed A, El Halwagy Hesham H, Ezzat Reem R et al.

ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a combination of 100 mg mebeverine and 25 mg sulpiride (Colona®) in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders.MethodsThis multicenter, cohort study was conducted in Egypt, comprising 253 patients diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorders. The treatment duration was 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percentage of relative change in the tailored gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale.ResultsThe baseline tailored gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale mean (±SD) score was 11.42 ± 4.10. However, after 2 weeks (±1 week) of combination therapy, the score significantly decreased to 3.11 ± 2.48 (p < 0.01), demonstrating a mean (±SD) improvement of 71.84% ±20.56%. Among 253 patients, 227 patients (89.72%, 95% confidence interval: 85.96%-93.49%) demonstrated ≥50% improvement in the tailored gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale total score, whereas 26 (10.28%) did not report any improvement. In terms of safety, 2 (0.79%) patients reported diarrhea, 1 (0.4%) had mild dyspepsia, and 1 (0.4%) had galactorrhea.ConclusionOur results suggest that the combination of mebeverine and sulpiride may represent a safe and effective treatment option for patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders.

PMID 41529917
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