Questions & Answers

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 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.

Colpermin should be taken at least 2 hours before or after the use of antacids or other medicines used to reduce stomach acid.

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 capsule(s) should be taken whole with some liquid at least 30 minutes before or after a meal. The capsule(s) should not be taken at the same time as food as this could cause the capsule to dissolve earlier than required and the leaked peppermint oil may cause heartburn.

OR

Tip: The best time to take Colpermin could be on waking while still in bed, before food. Then delay breakfast for 30 minutes. Take Colpermin again before bed at night (30 minutes after any food intake). Be sure to take your Colpermin with you when leaving home, so as to take it 30 minutes before or 30 minutes 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 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.

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

Colpermin does not work against acid reflux, ie. acid flowing from the stomach into the esophagus. In fact, if Colpermin is not taken properly, ie. chewed or taken with food, it could cause acid reflux resulting in a sensation often called heartburn. Always take Colpermin whole (without chewing) on an empty stomach 30 minutes before a meal or 30 minutes after a meal 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 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 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 bowel syndrome in our blog.