Pregabalin — a calcium channel alpha 2 delta ligand — helped treat visceral hypersensitivity in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and reduced symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea, according to research published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

Yuri A. Saito, MD, of the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and colleagues wrote that visceral hypersensitivity is a common symptom of IBS and can be treated with several therapies. However, these treatments do not work for all patients.