A new large-scale study led by researchers at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University is raising questions about the long-term safety of some medications commonly used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The findings suggest that certain drugs, including antidepressants, may be linked to a small but measurable increase in the risk of death. Published in Communications Medicine , the study analyzed nearly 20 years of electronic health records from more than 650,000 adults in the United States diagnosed with IBS. This makes it the largest real-world investigation to date focused on how safe these treatments are over extended periods. Understanding IBS and Its Treatment Options IBS is a chronic digestive disorder that affects roughly 10% of people in the U.S. While there is no cure, symptoms can often be managed through dietary changes, behavioral therapies and medications.…