The Connection Between Antihistamines and IBS
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Can an Antihistamine a Day Keep IBS Pain Away?

Can an Antihistamine a Day Keep IBS Pain Away?
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By
Denise Mann, MS
Updated on July 31, 2025
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At first it sounds implausible, but popping an over-the-counter antihistamine may help relieve some of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), including stomach pain and bloating, according to a growing body of evidence.

As many as 45 million people in the United States live with IBS, and it is more common in women than men.

 IBS is a disorder of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) that causes problems with how your stomach and bowels work, and can range from mild to severe. Treatment often includes dietary changes or medication, such as antihistamines, to help relieve symptoms.

What Are Antihistamines?

Antihistamines traditionally treat allergies and some cold symptoms by blocking the effects of histamine, which your body releases, along with other chemicals, when you have an allergic reaction. Antihistamines treat sniffling, sneezing, and teary eyes.

Emerging evidence suggests that antihistamines may also have a role in the treatment of IBS-related symptoms.

The Antihistamine-IBS Connection

“Damage to the gut that occurs with IBS will often travel with sensitivity to histamines, and we know that histamines exist in larger quantities in people with IBS, resulting in inflammation that may worsen IBS symptoms,” explains William J. Bulsiewicz, MD, a gastroenterologist and author of the book Fiber Fueled.

When histamine is released in the gut, nerve receptors called TRPV1 are activated.

 “Histamine triggers the nerves and the TRPV1 tells us that something is wrong by causing abdominal pain,” explains Dr. Bulsiewicz.
What’s more, researchers found that blocking histamine prevents the chain reaction with TRPV1 and relieves pain. Specifically, people with IBS who took an antihistamine called ebastine for 12 weeks had significantly less abdominal pain than their counterparts who did not take this hay fever medication.

This drug is not available in the United States. However, there are many over-the-counter antihistamines available that work in a similar fashion. These include diphenhydramine (Benadryl), loratadine (Claritin), and cetirizine (Zyrtec). “Some people with IBS may find a benefit from using an antihistamine because it is helping to block the pain signal,” Bulsiewicz says.

One thing to consider: All drugs have side effects, and antihistamines are no exception. Some antihistamines may cause dry mouth, drowsiness, excitability, vision changes, or decreased appetite.

Note that antihistamines are not formally approved for treatment of IBS, even though there is preliminary evidence that they may play a role in treatment of IBS symptoms. If you are interested in trying antihistamines for IBS relief, consult your doctor first to make sure it’s the best choice for you.

Other Ways to Treat IBS Symptoms

Managing IBS often involves restoring the balance between good and bad bacteria in the gut. This starts with slowly adding more fiber to your diet. Fiber is a prebiotic, which means it feeds the good bacteria in the gut, helping to restore this balance, Bulsiewicz says.

Adults should aim for 22 to 34 grams of fiber a day.

 Gradually increase your fiber intake to prevent gas and bloating and choose foods with more soluble than insoluble fiber, such as beans, fruit, and oats. Consuming too much fiber too fast can backfire, causing gas and possibly triggering IBS symptoms.

Stay well hydrated and drink plenty of water — staying well hydrated also helps your body move fiber more efficiently through your system.

Some people may also benefit from a low-FODMAP diet, Bulsiewicz explains. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols. These are specific foods that are poorly absorbed in your body and may trigger IBS symptoms.

Foods that contain loads of FODMAPs are fruits such as apples, vegetables such as artichokes, asparagus, beans and cabbage, dairy products, foods with high-fructose corn syrup, and wheat- and rye-based foods.

Ask your doctor if this type of diet is worth trying for your symptoms. He or she may suggest a trial that starts with avoiding foods that are high in FODMAPs and then slowly adding them back one by one to determine which, if any, trigger your symptoms.

The Takeaway

  • Antihistamines, commonly used for allergies, may also help relieve symptoms of IBS like stomach pain and bloating.
  • Potential side effects of antihistamines include dry mouth, drowsiness, and vision changes — talk to your doctor before starting any new medications.
  • Increasing dietary fiber is an important strategy for managing IBS symptoms effectively.
  • Trying a low-FODMAP diet under medical supervision might also help some individuals with IBS by identifying specific dietary triggers.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. IBS Facts and Statistics. International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders.
  2. Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Mayo Clinic. October 11, 2024.
  3. Irritable Bowl Syndrome (IBS) and Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction. University of Michigan Health.
  4. Antihistamines for Allergies. United States National Library of Medicine. May 20, 2024.
  5. Wouters MM et al. Histamine Receptor H1-Mediated Sensitization of TRPV1 Mediates Visceral Hypersensitivity and Symptoms in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Gastroenterology. April 2016.
  6. Decraecker L et al. Treatment of Non-Constipated Irritable Bowel Syndrome With the Histamine 1 Receptor Antagonist Ebastine: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. Gut. February 23, 2024.
  7. Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025. United States Department of Agriculture. December 2020.
  8. Christian B. So, You Want to Increase Your Fiber Intake? University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. March 14, 2022.
  9. FODMAP Diet: What You Need to Know. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
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Waseem-Ahmed-bio

Waseem Ahmed, MD

Medical Reviewer

Waseem Ahmed, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine in the Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and serves as Director, Advanced Inflammatory Bowel Disease Fellowship and Education within the F. Widjaja Inflammatory Bowel Disease Institute.

He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and attended medical school at Indiana University. He then completed an internal medicine residency at New York University, followed by a fellowship in gastroenterology and hepatology at Indiana University, and an advanced fellowship in inflammatory bowel disease at the Jill Roberts Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine. Prior to his current role, Dr. Ahmed served as an assistant professor of medicine within the Crohn’s and Colitis Center at the University of Colorado from 2021-2024.

Dr. Ahmed is passionate about providing innovative, comprehensive, and compassionate care for all patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). His research interests include IBD medical education for patients, providers, and trainees; clinical trials; acute severe ulcerative colitis; and the use of combined advanced targeted therapy in high-risk IBD.

He enjoys spending time with his wife and dog, is an avid follower of professional tennis, and enjoys fine dining.

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Denise Mann, MS

Author
Denise Mann, MS is a veteran freelance health writer in New York. She was awarded the 2004 and 2011 journalistic Achievement Award from the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Recently, she was named the 2011 National Newsmaker of the Year by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America. She's also been awarded the Arthritis Foundation's Northeast Region Prize for Online Journalism, the Excellence in Women's Health Research Journalism Award, the Gold Award for Best Service Journalism from the Magazine Association of the Southeast, a Bronze Award from The American Society of Healthcare Publication Editors, and an honorable mention in the International Osteoporosis Foundation Journalism Awards. She was part of the writing team awarded a 2008 Sigma Delta Chi award for her part in a WebMD series on autism. Mann has a graduate degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
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