Premedication with peppermint oil capsules in colonoscopy: a double blind placebo-controlled randomized trial study

Colonic spasm is an important problem in colonoscopy for endoscopists to advance the colonoscope and visualize the mucosa.

In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules (Colpermin) as an orally administered antispasmodic premedication in colonoscopy.

Sixty-five adult patients undergoing colonoscopy were randomized to receive either Colpermin (n = 33) or placebo capsules (n = 32) as premedication, 4 hours before the procedure. An experienced endoscopist performed colonoscopy. Outcome measures included cecal intubation and total procedure time, spasm score, pain score, endoscopist satisfaction and patients' willingness to repeat colonoscopy.

Duration of both total procedure time and cecal intubation time in patients in the Colpermin group were shorter than that in ones in the placebo group. Scores for colonic spasm and pain were significantly lower in the Colpermin group. The endoscopist satisfaction score was higher in the Colpermin group and patients in the Colpermin group were more willing to repeat colonoscopy in the future.

Premedication with Colpermin was beneficial in terms of the time required for cecal intubation and total procedure time, reducing colonic spasm, increasing endoscopist satisfaction and decreasing pain in patients during colonoscopy.