Questions & Answers
Like all medicines Colpermin can have side-effects, please read the Colpermin patient information leaflet for all possible side effects.
Some common possible side effects are: (affects 1 to 10 in 100 patients)
- Heartburn
- Local irritation around the anus (perianal irritation)
- Nausea, vomiting and headache
Some uncommon possible side effects are: (affects 1 to 10 in 1000 patients)
- Allergic reactions with skin rash and possibly anaphylactic shock
- Itching, stomach bleeding or blurred vision.
Some very rare side effects possible are: (affects less than 1 in 10 000 patients)
- Slowed heartbeat
- Exanthematous skin rash
- Irritation of the urethra
- When taken at the same time as alcohol, tremor and impaired coordination
In such circumstances, as well as in case of an overdose, the medicine should be discontinued immediately, and medical advice should be sought without delay. Under no circumstances induce vomiting or consume milk or alcohol in case of an overdose.
Before taking Colpermin, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- Have any other illnesses
- Have allergies
- Are taking other medicines (including over-the-counter medicines)
Reporting of side effects:
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the patient information leaflet.
You can also report side effects directly at: pharmacovigilance@tillotts.com. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
The effect of Colpermin on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in children and adults was tested in clinical trials and the results published in peer-reviewed academic journals.
In one clinical trial, 79% of IBS patients taking Colpermin had an improvement in the severity of abdominal pain, 83% had less bloating, 83% had a fewer number of stools and 79% had less flatulence. Compared to IBS patients not taking Colpermin where 43% had improvement in pain, 29% had less bloating, 32% had a fewer number of stools and 22% had less flatulence.1
71% of children* with IBS treated with Colpermin for two weeks showed an improvement in symptoms, compared to 43% of those children with IBS who were not treated with Colpermin. Of those children treated with Colpermin, 0% had a worsening of their symptoms, whereas 29% of those not treated with Colpermin had a worsening of their symptoms.3
For more information on Colpermin, please read the Colpermin patient information leaflet.
* Colpermin should only be taken by children 8 years old and above
Colpermin can be purchased over the counter in your local pharmacy. Purchase from on-line pharmacies is possible in some countries. Colpermin is registered as a medicinal product and therefore in some countries by law can only be sold by pharmacies.
EFFECTIVE:
- Relief of IBS symptoms in around 80% of patients.1
- Dual acting for bloating, flatulence and cramps. Especially for irritable bowel syndrome (also known as IBS).
- Specially designed capsules with a sustained release, targeting the peppermint oil to the distal small intestine and colon. Relief where it is needed most!
- Colpermin has been tested and shown to be effective in several clinical trials.1,2,3,4
CLINICALLY TESTED:
- Can be taken by children from age 8.
- No difference of side effects when compared to placebo.2,3,4
- Already used by hundreds of thousands of patients across more than 20 countries.
- Celebrating more than 40 years of use!
HERBAL:
- Each capsule contains 187mg of peppermint oil.
- Produced by a company specialising in medicine for gastroenterological illness.
- Registered as a medicinal product.
Peppermint oil is released from the Colpermin capsule once the capsule reaches the intestine. The release is sustained for hours thus ensuring spread of the peppermint oil throughout the colon. However, Colpermin may need to be taken for some days until symptoms subside, for most people this is within two weeks.
If symptoms persist or worsen after using Colpermin for two weeks, consult with a healthcare professional. Treatment may be continued for a maximum of 3 months. Treatment can be repeated if needed.
For more information on Colpermin, please read the Colpermin patient information leaflet.
Adequate data on the use of Colpermin in pregnant women and the effects on the unborn child do not exist and no systematic scientific studies have ever been conducted. However data does suggest there is excretion of peppermint constituents/metabolites in human milk.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine if you are pregnant or breast feeding, planning a pregnancy, or suspect you are pregnant.
No interaction studies have been performed.
Colpermin should not be taken with food or with heartburn/indigestion
remedies (e.g. antacids, proton-pump inhibitors) as this could cause early
release of the peppermint oil which could cause gastrointestinal irritation
or reduce how well the peppermint oil works.
There are no drugs known which are influenced by Colpermin. Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other medicines, including over-the-counter medicines.
There is no known interference between alcoholic beverages and Colpermin.
Colpermin™ contains 187mg of peppermint oil. This is the only active substance in Colpermin. Peppermint oil is derived from the plant Mentha X piperita L. (peppermint). Menthol is the main constituent of peppermint oil.
There are some other substances known as “excipients”, these make up other necessary parts of the capsule. The capsule also contains the colouring agent Indigotine (E 132) as well as peanut oil (arachis oil). Colpermin is free of wheat, gluten, or lactose.
Please see the patient information leaflet for the full list of excipients. Click here to see the Colpermin patient information leaflet.
Colpermin is a hard gelatin capsule. The gelatin used is 100% of bovine origin. Gelatin comes from bones (not skull, vertebra, or spine). If you are vegetarian, you need to decide if the benefits of Colpermin treatment for your symptoms would allow intake of a small amount of gelatin.
Colpermin is used for the relief of abdominal pain, flatulence and bowel cramps, especially in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Some people with IBS describe their pain as ‘stomach pain’ or ‘belly ache’.
Colpermin has not shown any effect on stool consistency but has shown an effect on stool frequency.1
A treatment course with Colpermin should not be longer than three months. If necessary, it can be repeated.
Sibo is short for small intestine bacterial overgrowth. In plain words: there are bacteria in the small intestine where there should be none. These bacteria can cause various symptoms, such as bloating. For treatment of Sibo talk to your physician.
In many countries, Colpermin can be purchased over the counter, without a prescription. Check at your local pharmacy. Purchase from on-line pharmacies is possible in some countries. Colpermin is registered as a medicinal product and therefore in some countries by law can only be sold by pharmacies.
Colpermin pack sizes, indications and dosages may vary from country to country. Full patient information for your country is available at your local supplier or Tillotts Pharma AG, Switzerland.
Colpermin capsules are gastro resistant. The capsule can withstand the acidic environment of the stomach and does not start to dissolve until it reaches the small intestine. This results in the active ingredient, peppermint oil, being released where the treatment is needed.
Colpermin capsules have a modified release. They have a delayed release of the peppermint oil and an extended or sustained release.
Modified-release means there is a mechanism that delivers a drug with a delay after it is taken (delayed-release dosage). If the delivery is for a prolonged period of time, this is called prolonged or extended-release. If there is delivery to a specific target in the body, this is called targeted-release.
A sustained-release dosage means the delivery of the drug is at a predetermined rate to maintain a constant drug concentration for a period of time.
Experts in gastrointestinal disease: Since its foundation, Tillotts Pharma has been committed to improving care for people with gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. We collaborate with healthcare professionals and GI-experts to develop and market medicines for the treatment of diseases of the digestive system. This collaboration helps us look for innovative ways to improve care and quality of life for the millions of people who live with bowel diseases worldwide.
A worldwide partner: Today, our products are available in over 50 countries through our affiliates in Europe, our parent company Zeria in Japan and a strategic partnership network throughout the world. Tillotts is headquartered close to Basel, in Rheinfelden, Switzerland.
No, peppermint oil does not reduce appetite nor absorption of nutrients. Neither does it increase fat burning.
You can learn more about irritable bowel syndrome in our blog.