Alverine Citrate

What is Alverine Citrate?

Alverine Citrate is an antispasmodic hard capsule that is used to treat the symptoms of intestinal problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

You must have a prescription to buy Alverine Citrate. 

What is Alverine Citrate used to treat?

Alverine Citrate is an effective treatment for the symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Alverine Citrate is a muscle relaxant that acts directly on the muscles in the gut, helping the gut to relax.

It can also treat diverticular disease and disease of the colon, which creates small pouches to form in the colon wall. These pouches can then become inflamed and cause pain.

Common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include:

• Intestinal pain
• Stomach pain and/or cramps
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Increased wind and flatulence

Why is Alverine Citrate recommended for IBS?

Alverine Citrate has been used extensively in the treatment of IBS and has been found to provide effective relief from this condition. 

How does Alverine Citrate work to relieve IBS symptoms?

Alverine Citrate is the active ingredient contained in this medicine, and it works by directly targeting the smooth muscle in your gut and relaxing them. This relieves the pain that comes when you have a flare-up of irritable bowel syndrome, reducing stomach cramps and allowing you to get on with your day as normal.

Who can take Alverine Citrate?

This medicine should not be taken by anyone who is under 12 years old.

Do not take Alverine Citrate if any of these apply to you:

• You have been told by your doctor that you have an obstruction of the gut or that your small bowel is not working properly.
• You are allergic to alverine citrate, or any other ingredients contained in this medicine (see the Ingredients tab for full details).

Can you buy Alverine Citrate over the counter?

You cannot buy Alverine Citrate over the counter; it is a prescription-only medicine and must be prescribed by a doctor.

Can you buy Alverine Citrate online in the UK?

Alverine Citrate is a prescription-only medicine (POM). You can buy Alverine capsules online from Medicine Direct, but you will first need to complete an online questionnaire for one of our registered prescribers to review your answers before you order.

Alverine Citrate alternatives

A wide variety of medicines are available to order from Medicine Direct to effectively treat the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Peppermint oil capsules such as Colpermin and Apercap can be bought from our online pharmacy. These medicines work to gently relax the muscles in the gut, reducing the symptoms of IBS quickly and effectively.

Mebeverine is a popular choice of medicine to treat IBS. From Medicine Direct, you can either order the tablets or Fybogel Mebeverine, which is a sachet of powder that you should mix with water to create a delicious orange drink. Swallowing this drink will relax the muscles in your gut and allow you to continue with your day without discomfort.

On the other hand, a tried and tested medicine for stomach cramps, including those caused by IBS, is Buscopan. Buscopan Cramps can be ordered from our pharmacy after an online consultation and should get to work within 15 minutes. You can also buy Buscopan IBS Relief tablets if you have been diagnosed with the problem by a doctor.

Alverine Citrate Dosage

Always take Alverine Citrate exactly as instructed by your doctor. Read the patient information leaflet thoroughly before you start to take it. Speak to your doctor if you are unsure of anything.

The normal dosage of this medicine is 1 or 2 capsules, to be taken up to 3 times a day.

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Alverine Citrate.

How to take Alverine Citrate

Take one or two Alverine capsules up to three times each day. For best results, take it at the same time each day unless your doctor tells you to do otherwise.

Alverine Citrate capsules should be swallowed whole with a drink of water, do not chew them or crush them. This medicine can be taken with or without food.

Speak to your doctor if your symptoms have not improved after 2 weeks of taking Alverine Citrate.

Alverine Citrate side effects

As with all medicines, Alverine Citrate comes with the risk of certain side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Speak to your doctor if you experience any of these adverse effects while taking this medication:

• Feeling sick
• Feeling dizzy
• Headaches
• Increased levels of certain liver enzymes (your doctor will run a blood test to check for this)

Always read the patient information leaflet thoroughly before you start to take a new medicine.

Alverine Citrate Warnings and drug interactions

Alverine Citrate may interact with other medications, which could either increase your risk of side effects or hinder the medicine's effectiveness.

Before you start to use a new medicine, you should always inform your doctor if you are currently taking any other medicine. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medications, herbal remedies, vitamins, and supplements.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding 

This medication is not recommended for women who are pregnant. If you are currently pregnant, think you may be pregnant, or are trying to get pregnant, make sure you inform your doctor.

Similarly, you should not take this medication if you are breastfeeding.

Speak to your doctor about alternative forms of treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diverticular disease.

See the Bumps website for more information on taking Alverine Citrate capsules during pregnancy.

Alverine Citrate Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is alverine citrate.

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

How much does it cost to buy Alverine Citrate online in the UK?