Confused if you need an over the counter relief for bloating or need a prescription?
Let’s explore the difference between the two and what steps can be taken to provide comfort for your symptoms
What is Chronic Bloating and what causes it?
Bloating generally means a feeling of fullness, tightness, or swelling in the abdomen, often due to gas, fluid, or digestive contents. When this feeling is persistent or recurring over a longer period rather than just an occasional post-meal discomfort, many people refer to it as chronic bloating.
There are many possible underlying reasons why bloating becomes chronic. Some of the more common ones:
Digestive tract issues: For example, the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is associated with frequent bloating.
Food intolerances: Lactose intolerance, intolerance to certain carbohydrates (e.g., FODMAPs) can cause repeated bloating.
Bacterial overgrowth: The Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) can lead to excess gas from fermentation in the gut and hence bloating.
Motility or gut-brain interaction issues: Slow transit, hypersensitivity of gut-nerves, or functional gastrointestinal disorders may underlie chronic bloating.
Everyday lifestyle and diet factors: Swallowing air (e.g., eating quickly), certain foods, fizzy drinks, constipation.
Choosing between over the counter (OTC) options for bloating relief and prescription therapies isn’t about which class is “stronger,” but which is best-matched to the underlying driver of your symptoms, your safety profile, and your goals. Leading GI societies emphasize a stepwise, evidence-guided approach that starts with careful evaluation and targeted, conservative measures before escalating care.
Start with evaluation and simple first steps
The American Gastroenterological Association’s 2023 expert review on belching,
bloating, and distention recommends a focused history and exam to look for alarm features
(unintentional weight loss, GI bleeding, anemia, progressive pain), then addressing common contributors such as meal patterns, carbonated beverages, and constipation.
Routine advanced testing (for example, gastric emptying studies) is not advised unless specific red flags are present. Pelvic floor dysfunction can mimic or amplify bloating, and biofeedback therapy may help in selected patients.
For people whose bloating occurs with IBS-type symptoms, the American College of
Gastroenterology (ACG) guideline supports a positive, symptom-based diagnosis and
early lifestyle/diet strategies rather than exhaustive “rule-out-everything” testing.
A time-limited trial of a low-FODMAP pattern (ideally with a GI dietitian) can improve global IBS symptoms—including bloating—for many. Trialling a low-FODMAP diet is an elimination style practice that can be observed at home.
Where over the counter (OTC) supplements fit for relief from bloating
For uncomplicated bloating without alarm features, many patients reasonably start with OTC strategies while coordinating with their clinician:
- Dietary modification (portion size, slower eating, limiting high-FODMAP triggers short-term with structured re-introduction). Supported in IBS guidance and often relevant to functional bloating.
- Anti-foaming agents such as simethicone are commonly used for gas-related symptoms; evidence varies by setting, but reviews show potential benefit in reducing gas bubbles and perceived distention in some contexts. Individual response varies.
(PubMed) - Targeted fiber can help when constipation contributes to bloating (fiber type matters; rapid increases may worsen gas). ACG notes fiber’s diverse effects on stool form and transit in IBS.
- Enteric-coated peppermint oil (such as Gastro Vitale®) have been found to be effective for relief from global IBS symptoms (including bloating and other abdominal discomforts).
Meta-analyses and randomized trials suggest benefit for overall symptom scores and abdominal pain; quality of evidence ranges from low to moderate and not all patients improve. Products differ in formulation and release profile, and some people report heartburn. Discuss fit and timing with your clinician
When prescription therapies make sense
If symptoms are frequent, moderate-to-severe, or refractory to initial measures—or if IBS with prominent bowel habit symptoms is suspected—guidelines support stepping up to prescription options targeted to the predominant pattern:
For IBS-C, secretagogues (e.g., chloride channel or guanylate cyclase-C activators) can improve global symptoms and bloating in many patients.
For IBS-D, rifaximin (a non-absorbed antibiotic) improves global symptoms for many
patients; your clinician will weigh benefits against risks and consider retreatment strategies if symptoms recur.
Tricyclic antidepressants at low doses can help global IBS symptoms via visceral pain modulation; they require discussion of side-effects and monitoring.
What about small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)? Bloating is common in many conditions, but the AGA’s update and reviews note that diarrhea has a stronger association with SIBO than bloating, and they advise objective testing before antibiotic therapy because of antimicrobial-resistance and safety concerns. In short: avoid empiric antibiotics for “bloating alone” without an appropriate evaluation.
Gut Therapy With Peppermint Freshness
Putting it together: a practical path
1. Screen for alarm features and talk with your clinician if present.
2) If not, consider time-limited OTC and lifestyle trials—dietary adjustments like observing low-FODMAP diet (with re-challenge), activity, bowel-habit optimization, and, when appropriate, options like simethicone or enteric-coated peppermint oil.
3) If symptoms persist or significantly impair quality of life, a clinician can tailor prescription therapies to your symptom pattern and evaluate for specific contributors (e.g., constipation, pelvic floor dysfunction, or IBS subtype). This stepped approach aligns with modern GI guidance and helps match treatment intensity to need—while minimising unnecessary testing and medication exposure.
What to know about supplement regulations and labelling
Dietary supplements are regulated differently from prescription drugs. Reputable brands should disclose ingredients clearly and avoid disease claims. If you use supplements, review them with your healthcare professional—especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or take other medications.
Gastro Vitale® is a vegan, gelatin-free peppermint oil supplement designed for adults seeking to support everyday digestive comfort and help with occasional bloating as part of a balanced routine. As an (OTC) over the counter supplement for relief from bloating & gastric discomfort, it provides gut therapy with natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
If you’re considering a peppermint-oil approach, talk with your clinician about whether a time-limited trial fits your situation and how to integrate it alongside diet and lifestyle strategies.
Harness The Power of Peppermint Oil
Science Backed Over The Counter Relief from Bloating, IBS & Abdominal Pain.
Important: This article is for general educational purposes only and isn’t medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional for diagnosis and personalized treatment, especially if you have alarm features (unintentional weight loss, GI bleeding, anemia, progressive pain), new or changing symptoms, or underlying health conditions.
Bloating Relief and Remedy: What Causes Bloating and How Gastro Vitale® Helps
Bloating, Burping, Belching: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How to Fix Them
GLP-1 Medications & Your Gut: How to Keep the Benefits Without the Discomfort
FDA Disclaimer:
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Gastro
Vitale® and ViBrew™ (@drinkvibrew) are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.