Method for treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome
View Patent ↗The present invention provides methods for treating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, a polymeric proanthocyanidin composition from a Croton species or Calophyllum species in an amount sufficient to treat constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (c-IBS). Treatment of c-IBS includes the treatment of the constipation component of c-IBS as well as the pain and abdominal discomfort associated with c-IBS. In one embodiment, the polymeric proanthocyanidin compound is crofelemer. The present invention in an alternative embodiment also provides methods for treating alternating constipation-predominant/diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
1. A method of treating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (c-IBS), comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment, an amount of an extract isolated from the latex of a Croton spp. or Calophyllum spp. effective to treat c-IBS, wherein said amount is bioequivalent to an orally administered dose of about 250 mg per day to about 4000 mg per day of crofelemer.
2. A method of treating constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (c-IBS), comprising administering to a patient in need of such treatment, an amount of a polymeric proanthocyanidin composition isolated from the latex of a Croton spp. or Calophyllum spp. effective to treat c-IBS, wherein said amount is bioequivalent to an orally administered dose of about 250 mg per day to about 4000 mg per day of crofelemer.
3. The method of claim 2 , in which the polymer composition comprises at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin and epigallocatechin.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the polymeric proanthocyanidin composition is crofelemer.
5. The method of claim 1 or 2 , in which the treatment comprises reducing one or more symptoms of c-IBS.
6. The method of claim 5 , in which the symptom is pain or abdominal discomfort.
7. The method of claim 6 , in which pain or discomfort is reduced by at least 10%.
8. The method of claim 5 , in which the symptom is constipation or less than normal stool frequency.
9. The method of claim 8 , in which stool frequency is increased by at least one additional bowel movement per week.