What methods are effective in stopping IBS-related diarrhea?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Rifaximin and loperamide are two effective medications commonly used to treat diarrhea associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Rifaximin, a gut-targeted antibiotic, helps rebalance intestinal bacteria, while loperamide slows bowel movements to reduce diarrhea frequency. Both are generally considered safe and well-tolerated, offering meaningful relief for many patients living with IBS-D.

However, diarrhea can stem from many causes beyond IBS—including infections, food intolerances, or inflammatory bowel conditions—so understanding your specific symptoms is key to choosing the right treatment. Before starting any medication, take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be driving your discomfort and get personalized guidance on your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if IBS diarrhea needs care today Discover likely causes of IBS diarrhea Find out if your IBS symptoms are serious See OTC options for IBS diarrhea relief Find an IBS specialist near you Understand medically valid IBS diarrhea home remedies Check what’s causing IBS diarrhea now

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

There are several medicines that can help stop diarrhea caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). If you're experiencing symptoms and want to better understand what might be causing them, try our free AI symptom checker to get personalized insights.

Rifaximin: This is an antibiotic that can be used more than once to help with IBS-related diarrhea. It has been found to be safe and effective.
Other Medicines: There are other medicines that doctors might use to help with chronic diarrhea, which can include loperamide and bile acid binders.

These medicines work in different ways to help stop diarrhea and are usually safe when used as directed by a doctor.

(References)

Lembo A, Pimentel M, Rao SS, Schoenfeld P, Cash B, Weinstock LB, et al. (2016). Repeat Treatment With Rifaximin Is Safe and Effective in .... Gastroenterology, 27528177.
Garsed K, Chernova J, Hastings M, Lam C, Marciani L, Singh G, et al. (2014). A randomised trial of ondansetron for the treatment .... Gut, 24334242.
Lee KJ. (2015). Pharmacologic Agents for Chronic Diarrhea. Intestinal research, 26576135.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.