For The Third Year In A Row, U.S. Gastroenterologists Endorse Clinically Studied, Non-Prescription IBgard® For Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), By Overwhelming Margin

BOCA RATON, Fla., Oct. 30, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- IM HealthScience^®, innovators of IBgard^®, a clinically studied, non-prescription medical food using a novel approach in the dietary management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), announced today results of a nationwide survey conducted among 202 U.S. gastroenterologists by QuintilesIMS using its ProVoice survey methodology.

For the third consecutive year, IBgard^® continues to be the #1 recommended peppermint oil for IBS among gastroenterologists by an overwhelming margin.   

IBgard^® was by far the market leader with nearly 53 percent of physician recommendations. The next brand on the list was a distant second with about 14 percent of physician recommendations.

"The widespread adoption of IBgard^® among gastroenterologists over the years reflects their real-world experience in receiving positive feedback from their patients with IBS," said Michael Epstein, M.D., F.A.C.G., A.G.A.F., a leading gastroenterologist and Chief Medical Advisor, of IM HealthScience, LLC^®. "Real-world patient feedback coupled with compelling clinical data is why IBgard^® has become a popular mainstay in the management of IBS, a difficult-to-treat condition."  

Over 10,000 healthcare practitioners, including 3,000 gastroenterologists, are estimated to have already used IBgard^® for their patients.

About QuintilesIMS
QuintilesIMS is a leading integrated information and technology-enabled healthcare service provider worldwide, dedicated to helping its clients improve their clinical, scientific and commercial results. Formed through the merger of Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. and IMS Health Holdings, Inc., QuintilesIMS's approximately 50,000 employees conduct operations in more than 100 countries. Companies seeking to improve real-world patient outcomes through treatment innovations, care provision and access can leverage QuintilesIMS's broad range of healthcare information, technology and service solutions to drive new insights and approaches. QuintilesIMS provides solutions that span clinical to commercial, bringing customers a unique opportunity to realize the full potential of innovations and advanced healthcare outcomes.

About ProVoice Survey
ProVoice has the largest sample size of any professional healthcare survey in the U.S., with nearly 60,000 respondents across physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, optometrists, dentists and hygienists, measuring recommendations across more than 120 over-the-counter categories. Manufacturers use ProVoice for claim substantiation, promotion measurement and HCP targeting.

QuintilesIMS fielded a U.S. survey among 202 U.S. gastroenterologists between August 25, 2017, through September 10, 2017, for IM HealthScience^®. The ProVoice survey methodology validated the claim at a 99 percent confidence level that for the third consecutive year, "IBgard^® is the #1 gastroenterologist-recommended peppermint oil for patients with IBS."

About Irritable Bowel Syndrome
One in six Americans experience Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a frustrating, under-diagnosed and under-treated condition characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, often associated with alteration in stool frequency and/or form. Bloating is another common symptom experienced by patients with IBS. Recent understanding regarding the multiple etiologies of IBS point to gut mucosal barrier dysfunction associated with reversible, low-grade inflammation as a potential contributor to abdominal pain and altered stool form.

About IBgard^®  
IBgard^® is a medical food specially formulated for the dietary management of IBS. IBgard^® capsules contain solid state microspheres of peppermint oil, including its principal component l-Menthol, plus fiber and amino acids (from gelatin protein), in a unique delivery system.

With its patented Site Specific Targeting (SST^®) technology, pioneered by IM HealthScience^®, IBgard^® capsules release Ultramen^®, an ultra-purified peppermint oil, quickly and reliably to the small intestine, where its actions help manage IBS. The food nutrients in IBgard^® (peppermint oil along with fiber and amino acids) may help reduce the low-grade, reversible inflammation found in some IBS and help normalize gut mucosal barrier function. Additionally, peppermint oil has also been shown to help normalize intestinal transit time.

IBgard^® was studied in a pivotal, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, multi-center trial called the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Reduction Evaluation and Safety Trial™ (IBSREST).  Patients suffering from IBS-M and IBS-D were included in the study. The study findings were accepted and published in the February 2016 issue of Digestive Diseases and Sciences, a leading, peer-reviewed scientific journal. The data showed that IBgard^® demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the Total IBS Symptom Score (TISS) in as early as 24 hours and at four weeks. The TISS represents a composite score of eight individual IBS symptoms.

Additionally, results from a real-word observational study of 630 patients who took IBgard^®, called IBSACT™ (Irritable Bowel Syndrome Adherence and Compliance Trial), showed that there was a high level of patient satisfaction with the product even among those patients taking several capsules on a daily basis. One out of two IBS patients taking IBgard^® needed only 1 to 2 capsules per day to obtain individualized relief from IBS symptoms. In addition, 70 percent of the patients felt relief of abdominal pain, discomfort and/or bloating within 2 hours while 94 percent of patients reported relief within 24 hours after taking IBgard^®.

Currently, there are limited options for patients with IBS that offer effective and rapid relief, especially during flare-ups.

Like all medical foods, IBgard^® does not require a prescription, but it must be used under medical supervision. Only doctors can diagnose IBS. The usual adult dose of IBgard^® is 1-2 capsules as needed, up to three times a day, not to exceed 8 capsules per day. Many physicians are now recommending taking IBgard^® before a meal, as it enables the supportive effect of IBgard^® to start as early as possible.

IBgard^® is available to patients in the digestive aisle at most Walmart, Target, CVS/pharmacy, Walgreens and Rite Aid stores nationwide as well as in independent drug stores and grocery stores across the country.

About IM HealthScience^®
IM HealthScience^® (IMH) is the innovator of IBgard^® and FDgard^® for the dietary management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Functional Dyspepsia (FD), respectively. In 2017, IMH^® added Fiber Choice^®, a line of prebiotic fibers, to its product line via an acquisition. The sister subsidiary of IMH^®, Physician's Seal^®, also provides REMfresh^®, a well-known modified-release melatonin supplement for sleep. IMH^® is a privately held company based in Boca Raton, Florida. It was founded in 2010 by a team of highly experienced pharmaceutical research and development and management executives. The company is dedicated to developing products to address overall health and wellness, including conditions with a high unmet medical need, such as digestive health. The IM HealthScience^® advantage comes from developing products based on its patented, targeted-delivery technologies called Site Specific Targeting (SST^®). For more information, visit www.imhealthscience.com to learn about the company, or www.IBgard.com,  www.FDgard.com, www.FiberChoice.com, and www.Remfresh.com.

SOURCE IM HealthScience

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