Tag: Brain gut axis

While gastritis involves inflammation of the stomach lining, not all upper abdominal pain is caused by it. In fact, low-dose amitriptyline, a medication originally developed as an antidepressant, is often prescribed for chronic, unexplained gastrointestinal pain, raising the question: does amitriptyline help gastritis?. The answer depends on the underlying cause of the symptoms.

Antidepressants can offer significant relief for moderate to severe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with some studies showing improvement in symptoms like abdominal pain and bloating. However, the answer to "how long does it take for antidepressants to work for IBS?" is not a quick one, as effects can range from initial changes within weeks to more substantial, long-term improvement over several months.

According to research, gastrointestinal side effects are among the most frequently reported adverse reactions associated with second-generation antidepressants. This strong link raises a critical question for many patients: can antidepressants cause IBS symptoms or worsen existing ones? The answer lies in the complex, bidirectional communication pathway known as the brain-gut axis.