Alosetron

Alosetron, a 5-HT(3)-receptor antagonist that is very closely related to ondansetron in terms of both chemistry and pharmacology, is the first compound of this type to be developed for irritable bowel syndrome. Clinical data for up to 3 months of treatment indicate that alosetron is orally bioavailable in tablet form, is well tolerated and is significantly superior to both placebo and the smooth muscle relaxant, mebeverine, in improving perception of visceral pain, spasms and diarrhea in female diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. In males, symptoms were not alleviated to a statistically significant extent.