New therapeutic options for IBS: the role of the first in class mixed µ- opioid receptor agonist and δ-opioid receptor antagonist (mudelta) eluxadoline

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder which represents a major cost to healthcare services. IBS-D patients represent about one-third of the IBS population and are currently treated with antispasmodics, loperamide, bile acid sequestrants and antidepressants. Alosetron and rifaximin are also available in USA, ramosetron in Japan, Korea and Thailand and ondansetron as an off-label treatment.

Areas covered: This article focuses on eluxadoline, a novel pharmacological agent that has recently been approved by both the FDA and EMA for treatment of patients with IBS-D.

Expert commentary: The efficacy and safety of eluxadoline in treating bowel habit alterations and pain, both in the short and long-term, make the drug a welcome addition to our therapeutic alternatives in IBS-D. Its positioning in any IBS algorithm will depend on the ‘real world’ prevalence of the small risk of sphincter of Oddi spasm and mild pancreatitis.