Commonly prescribed medications for gastrointestinal conditions.
Commonly Prescribed Medications for Gastrointestinal Conditions (8,9,10)
Drug Category How They Work Prescribed for
Gastrointestinal Coat surfaces with a thick, Esophagitis Peptic
coating agents protective substance that ulcer
protects against acid and
other chemicals that can lead
to ulcers.
Histamine-2 Reduce stomach acid GERD Esophagitis
receptor production by blocking
antagonists receptors in cells lining the
stomach that produce acid.
Proton pump Prevent enzymes lining the GERD Esophagitis
inhibitors stomach from secreting Peptic ulcer
stomach acid.
Prokinetics Increase lower esophageal GERD Gastroparesis
sphincter pressure to help
prevent reflux of stomach
contents and help the stomach
empty faster.
Antispasmodic and Relax the smooth muscle in IBS
anticholinergic the gut and/or reduce its
drugs ability to contract. They
reduce pain but have little
effect on diarrhea or
constipation.
Antidiarrheal Improve stool consistency and IBS with diarrhea
agents decrease stool frequency. Diarrhea
Serotonin-3 Prevent activation of Severe IBS with
receptor receptors in the gut that diarrhea in women who
antagonists affect sensation, bowel have not responded to
movements and secretions. conventional therapies
Help reduce diarrhea and
bowel urgency.
Tricyclic Thought to reduce sensitivity Moderate-to-severe IBS
antidepressants of nerves in the gut. with diarrhea or pain
Laxatives and Help reduce constipation IBS with constipation;
lubricants through lubrication or by regular constipation
drawing water into the colon.
Aminosalicylate Reduce inflammation in the Ulcerative colitis
colon wall. Crohn's disease
Corticosteroids Reduce inflammation. Ulcerative colitis
Crohn's disease
Monoclonal Block certain parts of the Ulcerative colitis
antibody immune response. Crohn's disease
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn's disease
Immune- Suppress immune system. Ulcerative colitis
suppressing Crohn's disease
drugs
Side Effects May
Drug Category Generic/Brand Names Include
Gastrointestinal Sucralfate (Carafate) Constipation, abdominal
coating agents pain and gas, if you
don't follow a high-
fiber diet and drink
plenty of fluids
Histamine-2 Ranitidine (Zantac) Headache, dizziness,
receptor Cimetidine (Tagamet) constipation, diarrhea
antagonists Famotidine (Pepcid,
Pepcidine)
Nizatidine (Axid)
Proton pump Omeprazole (Prilosec, Losec) Stomach pain, diarrhea,
inhibitors Lansoprazole (Prevacid) headache, dizziness
Esomeprazole (Nexium)
Rabeprazole (AciPhex)
Pantoprazole (Protonix)
Prokinetics Metoclopramide (Reglan) Drowsiness,
restlessness, fatigue,
constipation, diarrhea
Antispasmodic and Hyoscyamine (Levsin, Levbid) Dry mouth, blurred
anticholinergic Dicyclomine (Bentyl) vision, fatigue,
drugs Robinul (glycopyrrolate) urination problems
Clidinium bromide
Antidiarrheal Loperamide (Imodium) Dry mouth, dizziness,
agents drowsiness, vomiting,
stomach pain,
discomfort or
distention;
constipation
Cholestyramine (Prevalite, Constipation, bloating,
Questran) stomach pain, vomiting,
heartburn, indigestion
Serotonin-3 Alosetron (Lotronex) Because of the
receptor possibility of serious
antagonists side effects, including
the development of
ischemic colitis,
patients must sign a
consent form, and
doctors must sign an
attestation form
Tricyclic Imipramine (Tofranil) Fatigue, dry mouth,
antidepressants Amitriptyline (Elavil) constipation, urinary
Desipramine retention
Laxatives and Magnesium hydroxide Diarrhea, gas, upset
lubricants Lactulose stomach
Sorbitol
Mineral oil (Milkinol)
Aminosalicylate Mesalazine (Asacol, Pentasa) Diarrhea, worsening of
Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, colitis
Salazopyrin)
Balsalazide (Colazide,
Colazal)
Corticosteroids Hydrocortisone Osteoporosis, weight
Budesonide gain, increased
Beclomethasone (oral or appetite, mood swings,
rectal) increased blood sugar,
cataract formation
Monoclonal Infliximab (Remicade) Possible life-
antibody threatening conditions
such as sepsis and TB.
Other side effects may
include: upper
respiratory infections,
headache, cough, nausea
Tacrolimus (Prograf) Increases risk of
infection. Other side
effects may include:
diarrhea, upset
stomach, vomiting,
stomach pain, loss of
appetite, insomnia
Adalimumab (Humira) Increases risk of
infection, including
TB. Other side effects
may include stomach
pain or upset stomach
Immune- Six mercaptopurine (6-MP) Pancreatic
suppressing inflammation, reduced
drugs white blood cell count,
abnormal liver function
tests, skin rash
Methotrexate Mouth ulcers, increased
diarrhea, flu-like
symptoms, liver damage
with long-term use
Azathioprine (Azasan, May reduce production
Imuran) of blood cells in bone
marrow. May also
increase risk of
cancer. More common
side effects may
include vomiting,
diarrhea and muscle
aches
References 8 Tsol, L. Esophagitis esophagitis /esoph·a·gi·tis/ (e-sof?ah-ji´tis) inflammation of the esophagus. chronic peptic esophagitis reflux e. . eMedicine eMedicine is an online clinical medical knowledge base that was founded in 1996 by Scott Plantz and Richard Lavely, two medical doctors. It was sold to WebMD in January 2006. Web site. www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic175.htm. Accessed Jun 8, 2007. 9 Baumgart DC, Sandborn WJ. Inflammatory bowel disease inflammatory bowel disease n. Abbr. IBD Any of several incurable and debilitating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by inflammation and obstruction of parts of the intestine. : clinical aspects and established and evolving therapies. Lancet lancet /lan·cet/ (lan´set) a small, pointed, two-edged surgical knife. lan·cet n. . 2007 May 12;369(9573):1641-57. 10 Fisichella, M. Gastroesophageal Reflux gastroesophageal reflux n. A backflow of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus, caused by relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter. Also called esophageal reflux, gastric reflux. . eMedicine.com Web site. Feb 2007. www.emedicine.com/med/topic857.htm. Accessed Jun 12, 2007. |
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