Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with prifinium bromide

Prifinium bromide, an anticholinergic agent, was given to patients with irritable bowel syndrome in an open trial to evaluate the drug's clinical efficacy. The trial lasted four weeks, although two of the 40 patients were treated for only two weeks. Prifinium bromide was judged beneficial in 28 patients (70%), slightly beneficial in six (15%), and not beneficial in six (15%). One case of moderate constipation was the only side effect encountered. In conclusion, prifinium bromide is considered a valuable drug for the management of irritable bowel syndrome.