Brand Name: Viberzi
Generic Name: eluxadoline

Drug Class: Mixed mu-opioid receptor agonist / delta-opioid receptor antagonist
Manufacturer: Patheon Pharmaceuticals
FDA Approval Date: May 27, 2015

What is Viberzi and its mechanism of action?

Viberzi (eluxadoline) is a novel drug approved for treating irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that causes abdominal pain or discomfort and bowel movement changes. There are 3 types of IBS:

• IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D)
• IBS with constipation (IBS-C)
• IBS with mixed diarrhea and constipation (IBS-M)

  The exact mechanism of action of Viberzi is not known. Viberzi activates mu-opioid receptors, blocks delta-opioid receptors, and activates kappa-opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Activating mu-opioid receptors reduces pain and slows gut movement, reducing abdominal pain and diarrhea. Viberzi is similar to loperamide which is also a µ-opioid receptor agonist. However, loperamide does not block delta-opioid receptors and is not as potent. Blocking delta-opioid receptors may reduce the constipating effect of activating mu-opioid receptors. Viberzi works locally in the gut because it is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream.

What is Viberzi used for?

Viberzi is used to treat:

•     Irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disease that affects 10-15% of the US population. IBS causes diarrhea (IBS-D), constipation (IBS-C), or mixed diarrhea and constipation (IBS-M). Common symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, gas, and bowel movement changes.

IBS is a functional disorder, meaning it has no known structural, infectious, or metabolic cause. IBS is associated with many factors including small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Bacterial overgrowth may be responsible for excessive gas production and dietary malabsorption which results in bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea or constipation.

Next: Efficacy of Viberzi, Interesting Facts, Dosage