Questions & Answers

There have been 4 clinical trials that show Colpermin helps the symptoms of irritable colon syndrome.^1,2,3,4

In one clinical trial around 80% of IBS patients had improvement of pain, bloating and flatulence after 4 weeks of taking Colpermin.¹ These patients were compared to IBS patients who did not take Colpermin.

Another trial showed improvement of IBS symptoms in 42 children* after 2 weeks treatment with Colpermin.³

For more information on Colpermin, please read the Colpermin patient information leaflet.

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 patients¹
• Dual acting for bloating, flatulence and cramps. Especially for irritable colon syndrome (also known as irritable bowel syndrome, IBS)
• Specially designed capsules targeting the peppermint oil to the small intestine and colon and having a sustained release. Relief where it is needed most!
• Already used by hundreds of thousands of patients across more than 20 countries. Celebrating 40 years of use!

Medical:

• In 4 clinical trials Colpermin has been shown to work^1,2,3,4
• Each capsule contains 187mg of peppermint oil
• Can be taken by children from age 8
• Produced by a gastroenterology specialist company and registered as a medicinal product

Natural:

• Pure, natural peppermint oil as active ingredient

Peppermint oil starts to be released within about 20 minutes after taking Colpermin, but not until it reaches the intestine, Peppermint oil from Colpermin continues to be released for hours. 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 for over two weeks after using Colpermin capsules, consult with a doctor or pharmacist. 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. It is unknown if peppermint constituents are excreted in human breast milk. This medicinal product must not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding unless this is clearly necessary.

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.

If possible, Colpermin should not be taken at the same time as food or certain heartburn remedies, namely antacids. Otherwise, this could cause the capsule to dissolve prematurely in the stomach. Leaking peppermint oil can cause heartburn.

Colpermin capsules release their contents from pH 6.8 onwards. Antacids and food intake can make the stomach contents less acidic temporarily.

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.

The capsules should be taken whole, with a small amount of liquid, at least 2 hours before or after a meal. The reason Colpermin is taken 2 hours before food or 2 hours after food is to be sure that there is no food in your stomach when the Colpermin capsule passes through the stomach. The medicine should not be taken at the same time as food as this could cause the capsule to dissolve too early and the leaking peppermint oil to cause heartburn.

OR

Tip: The best time to take Colpermin could be on waking while still in bed, before food. Then delay breakfast for 2 hours. Take Colpermin again before bed at night (2 hours after dinner). Be sure to take your Colpermin out with you to also take 2 hours after lunch.

For more information on when to take Colpermin, please read the Colpermin patient information leaflet.

There is no known interference between alcoholic beverages and Colpermin.

Colpermin™ contains 187mg of pure, natural, 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 constituents. Click here to see the Colpermin patient information leaflet.

Colpermin is a gelatine capsule. The gelatine used is 100% of bovine origin. Gelatine 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 gelatine.

Colpermin is used for treatment of painful bowel cramps or spasms, bloating (trapped wind) and flatulence, especially in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), also known as irritable colon syndrome.

Some people with IBS describe their pain as ‘stomach pain’ or ‘belly ache’. Colpermin treats abdominal pain or painful bowel spasms.

It has not been shown that Colpermin can help with diarrhoea or constipation. Clinical studies do show Colpermin to relieve abdominal pain or bowel cramps, bloating and flatulence.^1,3,4

A treatment course with Colpermin should not be longer than three months. If necessary, it can be repeated.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach (oesophagus).

Colpermin has not been shown to help acid reflux. In fact, if Colpermin is not taken properly it can cause acid reflux. This may happen if it starts to dissolve too early in the stomach. Heartburn can result from reflux of acid back into the oesophagus. This can happen because peppermint oil also relaxes the muscles closing the stomach to the oesophagus. Always take Colpermin 2 hours before or after meals as instructed.

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. Colpermin does not act on Sibo directly, only on the symptoms. 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 hard coating of 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. By combining peppermint oil with science, gives a natural, locally acting medicine.

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 a targeted-release dosage.

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 65 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 colon syndrome in our blog.