Antispasmodic (Smooth Muscle Relaxant)
Alverine Citrate
Brand names: Spasmonal
Adult dose
Dose: 60–120 mg up to 3 times daily
Route: Oral
Frequency: Up to 3 times daily before meals
Clinical pearls
- Used for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — relieves abdominal cramps and spasm
- NICE NG12 (IBS, 2008 updated 2022): antispasmodics including alverine are recommended for abdominal pain/spasm
- Acts by relaxing smooth muscle of the bowel — not absorbed systemically to significant degree
- Does not cause antimuscarinic side effects (unlike hyoscine or dicycloverine)
- Can be used alongside dietary interventions and psychological therapies for IBS
- OTC availability for IBS symptoms
Contraindications
- Paralytic ileus
- Intestinal obstruction
Side effects
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Pruritus
- Allergic reactions (rare)
Interactions
- No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions documented
Monitoring
- Symptom control (IBS diary)
- Alarm features: rectal bleeding, weight loss, nocturnal symptoms — refer if present
Reference: BNF; NICE NG12 (Irritable bowel syndrome in adults, 2008, updated 2022); https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/alverine-citrate/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.