Overview

Peppermint Oil for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Optimizing Therapeutic Strategies Using Targeted Delivery

Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2018-10-01
Target enrollment:
0
Participant gender:
All
Summary
Peppermint oil has shown to be effective in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms in several meta-analyses. However, the level of evidence is moderate and peppermint oil remains relatively under-used in IBS. Therefore, the investigators will conduct a multicenter randomized, placebo controlled trial to investigate the effects of an eight-week peppermint oil treatment in IBS patients according to current European Medicines Agency (EMA) / US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines. To improve efficacy and to reduce side effects, the investigators aim to study the use of a new peppermint oil formulation, a colon-targeted-delivery capsule that will release the oil in the (ileo-) colonic region specifically.
Phase:
Phase 3
Accepts Healthy Volunteers?
No
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Maastricht University Medical Center
Collaborator:
ZonMw: The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development
Treatments:
Peppermint oil
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age between 18 and 75 years;

2. Diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome according to the Rome IV criteria:

(Recurrent abdominal pain, at least 1 day/week for the last 3 months; Symptom onset at
least 6 months prior to diagnosis; Associated with two or more of the following:

1. Pain related to defecation;

2. Pain associated with a change in frequency of stool;

3. Pain associated with a change in form (appearance/consistency) of stool

3. Based on the medical history and previous examination, no other causes for the
abdominal complaints can be defined. Especially no history of:

1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease;

2. Celiac Disease;

3. Thyroid dysfunction (if not well-regulated). If alarm symptoms (including
unexplained rectal blood loss or weight loss) are present, a colonoscopy has been
performed and was negative for other causes.

4. Women in fertile age (<55 years old) must use contraception or be postmenopausal for
at least two years.

5. Average worst abdominal pain score (on 11-point NRS) of > 3, during the two-week
run-in period.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Insufficient fluency of the Dutch language;

2. Any previous use (also incidental use) of peppermint oil capsules in the last 3 months
prior to inclusion (the use of peppermint tea, menthol candy etc. is allowed);

3. The inability to stop regular use of medication affecting the gastro-intestinal system
(such as Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID), laxatives, prokinetics,
opioids, smasmolytics and anti-diarrhoeal drugs). This use should be halted at least 1
week before enrollment into the run-in period;

1. The use of 1 antidepressant drug is allowed, providing dosing has been stable for
> 6 weeks before enrollment;

2. The use of 1 proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is allowed, providing dosing has been
stable > 6 weeks before enrollment;

4. Previous major abdominal surgery or radiotherapy interfering with gastrointestinal
function:

1. Uncomplicated appendectomy, cholecystectomy and hysterectomy allowed unless
within the past 6 months;

2. Other surgery upon judgment of the principle investigator;

5. History of liver disease, cholangitis, achlorhydria, gallstones or other diseases of
the gallbladder/biliary system;

6. Pregnancy, lactation;

7. Using drugs of abuse;

8. Known allergic reaction to peppermint.