Abdominal smooth muscle spasm

Spasmodic abdominal pain related to increased smooth muscle tone in the intestines, biliary tract, or urinary system. Treatment is symptomatic with antispasmodics.

ICD-10 R10.42 drugs

Also known as: Abdominal colic, Intestinal spasm

Drugs used for this condition

BMebeverineCase-by-case decision · Antispasmodics (myotropic)In functional abdominal pain and non-IBS spasms, mebeverine produces modest pain reduction. In organic disease (peptic ulcer, cholecystitis, appendicitis), mebeverine masks symptoms and delays diagnosis – primary workup is required.

Marketing claims without evidence base

The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.

DDrotaverineNot recommended · Myotropic antispasmodicsSymptomatic relief of abdominal smooth muscle spasm – intestinal colic, biliary colic, renal colic. Does not address the underlying cause. Drotaverine is not mentioned in international guidelines by WHO, NICE, or ACG. The evidence base is limited to older, low-quality studies. Widely used in Russia and CIS countries.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit