A randomized, controlled exploratory study of clonidine in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2003 Mar;1(2):111-21. doi: 10.1053/cgh.2003.50019.

Abstract

Background & aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the alpha-2 adrenoreceptor agonist, clonidine, in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS) in a double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial.

Methods: A 2-week run-in evaluated baseline symptoms. Patients received 0.05, 0.1, or 0.2 mg clonidine or placebo twice a day for 4 weeks. We evaluated satisfactory relief of IBS by weekly question and stool parameters with a daily diary. Satisfactory relief and overall bowel function were primary end points. Secondary end points were stool frequency, consistency, and ease of passage; gut transit; and fasting and postprandial gastric volumes. Analysis followed intention-to-treat principles.

Results: Forty-four D-IBS patients participated; there were 4 treatment-related dropouts: 2/2 in the 0.2-mg and 2/12 in the 0.05-mg clonidine groups. Proportion with satisfactory relief of IBS was 0.46, 0.42, and 0.67 with placebo, 0.05 mg, and 0.1 mg clonidine, respectively. Relief was sustained through 4 weeks of treatment, and bowel dysfunction (firmer stools and easier stool passage [P < 0.05]) was reduced with clonidine, 0.1 mg twice a day. Clonidine did not significantly alter gastrointestinal transit or gastric volumes. Drowsiness, dizziness, and dry mouth were the most common adverse events with the 0.1-mg dose; severity of adverse effects subsided after the first week of treatment. A trial to replicate 20% or more responders with clonidine will require 95 patients per treatment arm.

Conclusions: Clonidine, 0.1 mg twice a day for 4 weeks, relieves bowel dysfunction and appears promising for relief of D-IBS; these effects are unassociated with significant alterations in transit.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / administration & dosage
  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / adverse effects
  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Clonidine / administration & dosage
  • Clonidine / adverse effects
  • Clonidine / therapeutic use*
  • Defecation
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Gastrointestinal Transit
  • Humans
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Manometry
  • Pilot Projects
  • Postprandial Period
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon

Substances

  • Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
  • Clonidine