Introduction
Iberogast® is a plant-based medication to support the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. It is used for the treatment of motility related and functional gastrointestinal diseases. These include irritable stomach syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome is also counted among the gastrointestinal diseases treatable with Iberogast®. It also has a supportive effect on complaints with irritation of the stomach lining (gastritis). Symptoms of the above-mentioned diseases are complaints such as
- Stomach complaints
- Feeling of fullness
- Flatulence
- Gastrointestinal cramps
- Nausea
- Heartburn
Contraindications
The drug Iberogast® should not be used if there is hypersensitivity to one of the ingredients or if the patient is a child under 3 years of age, as there are no sufficient studies available.
Instructions for use
Unless otherwise prescribed by the doctor, Iberogast® should be taken three times a day before or with meals with a little liquid. Before taking it, the medicine bottle must be shaken so that the ingredients are evenly distributed. There is no restriction on the duration of treatment, but the duration of the intake is based on the type, severity and course of the disease.
Active ingredient and effect
The active ingredient of the commercial preparation Iberogast® contains a combination of active ingredients. This contains angelica root, camomile blossoms, caraway fruits, milk thistle fruits, lemon balm leaves, peppermint leaves, bow flower (Iberis amara), celandine and liquorice root. The combination of active ingredients is used for the therapy of functional diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
In these cases, the intestines often react hypersensitively to stimuli. This is where the effect of Iberogast® comes into play. The combination of active ingredients inhibits the nerve reaction to mechanical and chemical stimuli.
The chemical stimuli include an increased release of messenger substances such as serotonin and bradykinin. Both contribute to the stimulus response of the intestine and both are damped by the phytopharmaceutical. Iberogast® also causes the intestinal muscles to relax.
This effect is dependent on concentration. Iberogast® also activates chloride channels and the so-called enteral nervous system. This results in increased secretion in the intestine.
The combination of active ingredients therefore has an antispasmodic effect on the stomach muscles, supports the natural movement of the stomach, calms the stomach nerves and reduces the formation of gastric acid. In addition, an anti-inflammatory effect has been demonstrated. Iberogast® intercepts so-called free radicals and thus has an antioxidant effect. Furthermore, the herbal medicine modulates components of the body’s own defense system, the so-called cytokines.
