Basics

Mebeverine is an antispasmodic drug used for the symptomatic treatment of stomach pain and cramps associated with irritable bowel syndrome and other gastrointestinal disorders. It is a derivative of papaverine, which occurs naturally in the opium poppy, and is classified in the spasmolytic group of substances. Mebeverine is administered orally in the form of sustained-release capsules. It was first approved in 1965.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Mebeverine is a spasmolytic whose exact mechanism of action is not well known. However, it acts very selectively directly on smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal tract and may have an anesthetic effect. In addition, it appears to affect calcium channels and muscarinic receptors.

Pharmacokinetics

Mebeverine is metabolized primarily by esterases in the liver. The metabolites are excreted in the urine.

Toxicity

Side effects

Adverse effects include:

Hypersensitivity reactions
Immune system disorders
Skin disorders including hives and rashes
Edema
Heartburn
Digestive disorders
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Constipation
Loss of appetite
General malaise
Dizziness
Insomnia
Headache
Decreased pulse rate

In a urine drug screening test, mebeverine may cause a false positive result for amphetamines.

Author

Markus Falkenstätter, BSc

Pharmacy student

Markus Falkenstätter is a writer on pharmaceutical topics in Medikamio's medical editorial team. He is in the last semester of his pharmacy studies at the University of Vienna and loves scientific work in the field of natural sciences.

Reviewer

Mag. pharm. Stefanie Brandauer

Pharmacist

Stefanie Lehenauer has been a freelance writer for Medikamio since 2020 and studied pharmacy at the University of Vienna. She works as a pharmacist in Vienna and her passion is herbal medicines and their effects.

Editorial principles

All information used for our content comes from verified sources (recognised institutions, specialists, studies by renowned universities). We place great value on the qualification of the authors and the scientific background of the information, so that our research is based on scientific evidence.