Alverine Citrate
- Relaxes the muscles in the gut
- Used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Effectively reduces stomach cramps
Please note brand received may vary
prescription included
order before 2pm
and team of dispensers
What is Alverine Citrate?
Alverine Citrate is a prescription-only capsule medicine, it is a smooth muscle relaxant which is present in the Gut. It can also be used to treat painful menstruation as the smooth muscle is also present in the uterus.
It is an antispasmodic hard capsule that is used to treat the symptoms of intestinal problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
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.
How does Alverine Citrate work?
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.
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.
Swallow the capsules whole with a glass of water. Do not chew them or crush them.
Who can take Alverine Citrate?
This medicine should not be taken by anyone who is under the age of 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).
Speak to your doctor before taking Alverine Citrate if:
- You are 40 years of age or older
- You have a fever
- You are currently suffering from severe constipation
- You have passed blood from your bowel
- You feel sick or are being sick
- You have recently travelled abroad
- You have lost weight
- You have lost your appetite
- You have abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge
- You find it difficult or painful when passing urine
- You are looking pale
- You are feeling tired
Alverine Citrate Possible 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 as soon as possible 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)
This list is not exhaustive. Please, refer to the Side Effects tab on this page for a list of rarer, more serious reactions you may suffer.
Always read the patient information leaflet thoroughly before you start to take a new medicine.
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.
If you place your order by 2pm, we can offer you next day delivery.
Medicine Direct is fully regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, which means we can guarantee that all medication you buy from us is approved and safe to use. Never order any type of medicine online unless it is from a regulated pharmacy.
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.
Alverine Citrate capsules should be swallowed whole with a drink of water. 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.
What if I take more than I'm supposed to?
If you accidentally take too much Alverine Citrate, speak to your doctor.
Symptoms of an overdose may include low blood pressure, dizziness, an increased heartbeat, dilated pupils, blurred vision, dry mouth and throat, difficulty breathing or difficulty urinating.
What if I forget to take it?
If you forget to take Alverine Citrate, just take it as soon as you remember. If it has been more than 4 hours since you last took it, just skip the missed dose and continue taking Alverine Citrate as usual
Never take an extra dose and do not double dose any medication to try and make up for a missed dose. This will not work and may increase your risk of experiencing adverse effects.
How to store
Store this medicine well out of the reach and sight of children.
Store in a cool and dry place.
Do not use this medication after the expiry date, which can be found on the packet.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how to safely throw away medicines that are past their expiration date.
Alverine Citrate FAQ's
How do I buy Alverine Citrate online?
How do I use Alverine Citrate?
How long does it take for Alverine Citrate to work?
Can I get Alverine Citrate on the NHS?
What is the correct dosage?
Does Alverine Citrate interact with other medicines like ibuprofen or paracetamol?
Can I drink alcohol while on Alverine Citrate?
Can I take it while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
What are the reviews for Alverine like?
Generally, this medicine receives positive reviews from those who use it. However, different people may react differently; it can sometimes take time before people find the right irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treatment for them. It may take a few weeks before you start to notice the benefits of Alverine Citrate. Certain lifestyle changes can improve your chances of noticing a positive effect from this medicine, including:
- Eating meals at a slower speed, to allow time for proper digestion
- Allow plenty of time to do things
- Cut down your levels of stress
- Avoid eating foods which seem to make your IBS symptoms worse
- Try to eat a balanced diet, which includes plenty of foods that are high in fibre.
What can I get over the counter for IBS relief?
Can Alverine work for period pain, too?
Alverine Citrate Serious Side Effects
Contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you notice any of the following side effects while using Alverine Citrate:
- Yellowing of the skin or of the whites of the eyes – this could be inflammation of the liver
In rare cases, it is possible that you may experience a serious allergic reaction to Alverine Citrate.
Either call 999 or go to A&E straight away if you exhibit any of the following symptoms; you may require immediate treatment in hospital:
- You are wheezing
- You have swelling in your face, tongue, mouth, lips or throat
- You have a skin rash that is red, itchy, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
- You have tightness in your chest or throat
- You are finding it difficult to speak or breathe
These lists may not be exhaustive. Always read the patient information leaflet thoroughly before you start to take a new medication.
If you have any questions or concerns at all, we strongly advise you to speak to your doctor before starting a course of treatment.
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.
Always read the patient information leaflet for a list of any particular drugs that may interact with Alverine Citrate.
If you have any concerns or questions at all, we strongly advise you to discuss them with your doctor before you start using the medicine.
Driving and operating machinery
Alverine Citrate will not have a direct impact on your ability to drive or operate machinery.
However, as some of the side effects associated with this medication include dizziness, headaches and feeling tired, you are advised not to drive, operate machinery or ride a bike if you experience any of these effects.
If any of these reactions bother you, you should wait until you feel better before you do any of these activities.
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.
Fore more information on taking Alverine Citrate capsules during pregnancy.
Alverine Citrate Ingredients
The active ingredient contained in this medicine is alverine citrate.
Inactive ingredients also contained in Alverine Citrate are: pregelatinized starch and magnesium stearate.
| Delivery Company | Delivery Service | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Standard UK Tracked | £2.99 | 3 - 4 Working Day Delivery |
 |
Next Day Delivery - Tracked | £5.95 | Order by 2pm (subject to Dr approval) Next Working Day Delivery |
|
Next Day Tracked Morning Delivery by 12:00pm | £12.95 | Next Working Day Morning Delivery by 12:00pm |
|
Tracked Saturday Delivery | £9.95 |
Delivery specified for Saturday Order Friday by 2pm (subject to Dr approval) |
Please note that next day delivery to Northern Ireland, Scottish Highlands & Islands and British Isles cannot be guaranteed. Please contact our team for more information.
Published on: 12/10/2020
Updated on: 08/07/2021
This content has been written by our Superintendent Pharmacist Hussain Abdeh and has been medically reviewed by our Pharmacist Sonia Khan
Hussain Abdeh
MPharm: 2211840
Pharmacist Independent Prescriber
How it works - get your medicine in 3 simple steps
- 1 Choose your treatment Select the treatment or medication you need and answer a few questions online regarding your condition.
- 2 Online consultation Our Independent Prescribers will review your questions and assess your suitability for the medication.
- 3 Receive your delivery Your medication is dispensed and delivered directly to you from our UK based Pharmacy.
