Timolol treatment in the irritable bowel syndrome.

The overall effect of the beta-blocker timolol maleate was not significantly different from placebo in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome on a high fibre diet. However, all 3 symptom-free patients were on timolol maleate. If beta-blockers have a major role to play in the treatment of the irritable bowel syndrome it must be through a central rather than a peripheral effect.