Efficacy of Eluxadoline in the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome With Diarrhea in Patients With Inadequate Control of Symptoms With Prior Loperamide Use

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of eluxadoline 100 milligrams (mg) twice a day (BID) versus placebo for the treatment of patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D) who report that the use of loperamide in the prior 12 months failed to provide control of their IBS-D symptoms.


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Has a diagnosis of IBS-D, defined by the Rome III criteria as loose (mushy) or watery stools ≥25% and hard or lumpy stools ≤25% of bowel movements.
* Has had a colonoscopy performed within 5 years prior to Screening if they are at least 50 years of age, OR if they meet any of the following alarm features:

  1. Has documented weight loss within the past 6 months; or
  2. Has nocturnal symptoms; or
  3. Has a familial history of colon cancer; or
  4. Has blood mixed with their stool (excluding any blood from hemorrhoids)
* Patient reports use of loperamide in the 12 months prior to Screening for IBS-D symptoms and that loperamide did not provide adequate control of IBS-D symptoms.
* Has not used any loperamide rescue medication within 14 days prior to randomization.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Has a diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) with a subtype of constipation IBS, mixed IBS, or unsubtyped IBS.
* Has a history of inflammatory or immune-mediated gastrointestinal (GI) disorders including inflammatory bowel disease (i.e., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis), microscopic colitis, or celiac disease.
* Has a history of diverticulitis within 3 months prior to screening.
* Has a documented history of lactose intolerance.
* Has a documented history of bile-acid malabsorption.
* Has a history of chronic or severe constipation or intestinal obstruction, stricture, toxic megacolon, GI perforation, fecal impaction, gastric banding, bariatric surgery, adhesions.
* Has any of the following surgical history:

  1. Cholecystectomy or previously documented agenesis of gallbladder; or
  2. Any abdominal surgery within the 3 months prior to screening; or
  3. Major gastric, hepatic, pancreatic, or intestinal surgery (appendectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, or polypectomy greater than 3 months post-surgery are allowed).
* Has a history of cholecystitis within 6 months before screening.
* Has a history of pancreatitis or structural diseases of the pancreas, including known or suspected pancreatic duct obstruction.
* Has a history of known or suspected biliary duct obstruction or sphincter of Oddi disease or dysfunction, excluding a history of gallstones.
* Has a history or current evidence of laxative abuse within 5 years prior to screening.
* Has documented evidence of cirrhosis.
* Has a history of cardiovascular events, including stroke, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, or transient ischemic attack within 6 months prior to screening.
* Has an unstable renal, hepatic, metabolic, or hematologic condition.
* Has a history of malignancy within 5 years before screening (except squamous and basal cell carcinomas and cervical carcinoma in situ).
* Has a history of human immunodeficiency virus infection.
* Has a history of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision-defined substance dependency, excluding nicotine and caffeine, within 2 years prior to screening.
* Has a history of alcohol abuse, alcohol addiction, and alcoholism or drinks more than 3 alcoholic beverages per day.
* Has used aspirin or aspirin-containing medications (\>325 mg of aspirin per day) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, when taken specifically for the symptoms of IBS, within 14 days of randomization.
* Has current (within 14 days of randomization) or expected use of any narcotic or opioid-containing agents, tramadol, docusate, enemas, GI preparations (including antacids containing aluminum or magnesium, antidiarrheal agents \[except loperamide rescue medication after randomization\]), antinausea agents, antispasmodic agents, bismuth, or prokinetic agents.
* Has current (within 28 days of randomization) use of rifaximin or other antibiotics (with the exception of topical antibiotics or a 1-day course with an antibiotic). Expected use of rifaximin or other antibiotics during the course of the study that is known at the time of randomization.
* Has an elective surgery planned or expects to need elective surgery at any time during the study.