On March 1, 2017, Health Canada, the national government agency responsible for approval of new medication, approved the use of eluxadoline, also known by the brand name Viberzi, for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS) in 75 mg. and 100 mg dosages. The detailed summary basis decision is available here. According to IBS Impact’s Canadian contacts, the timeline for eluxadoline’s availability for prescription and sale now depends on individual provincial decisions.
Eluxadoline has already been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and in use in the United States for almost two years and appears to be useful for many people with IBS-D. This month, however, the FDA issued a warning that U.S physicians should not prescribe it to patients without a gallbladder due to the risk of serious side effects in that subgroup.
While this U.S. decision does not directly affect eventual distribution in Canada, IBS Impact encourages Canadians considering eluxadoline to discuss any concerns with their physicians so that they can make an informed choice as to if eluxadoline is appropriate for them or an adult relative with IBS-D.
Last update: March 2017