Ethosuximide to Treat IBS

Summary

Abdominal pain remains the most deleterious symptom for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and is causing a significant alteration of their quality of life. The visceral hypersensitivity seems to be one of the key mechanisms that could explain the abdominal pain in these patients. Current treatments, mainly symptomatic, are of limited effectiveness, especially in terms of relief of abdominal pain. The study will aim to evaluate the effectiveness of ethosuximide on abdominal pain in patients with IBS, its tolerance and its impact on patient quality of life, severity of symptoms related to IBS and the use of analgesics / antispasmodic / regulators transit.

Timeline

Start

2018-02-08

Primary completion

2023-03-07

Completion

2023-05-07

Publications

• Results Kerckhove N, Zerbib F, Chambaz M, Mion F, Zalar A, Goutorbe F, Coffin B, Payen L, Roman S, Guilngar A, Pereira B, Duale C, Dapoigny M, Melchior C, Scanzi J; IBSET Investigator Group (IIG). Ethosuximide and Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Related Abdominal Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Jan 2;9(1):e2551368. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.51368.
• Kerckhove N, Scanzi J, Pereira B, Ardid D, Dapoigny M. Assessment of the effectiveness and safety of ethosuximide in the treatment of abdominal pain related to irritable bowel syndrome - IBSET: protocol of a randomised, parallel, controlled, double-blind and multicentre trial. BMJ Open. 2017 Jul 18;7(7):e015380. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015380.

Drugs

Indications