10.1 GI Pharmacology Flashcards
Why are peptic ulcers difficult to locate?
As visceral pain felt is not well localised - manifests as general epigastric pain
Chronic ulcers can be asymptomatic so no pain to help localise.
Why do asymptomatic chronic ulcers pose a difficulty in treating patients?
Can be a challenge as do not realise they have chronic ulceration and are mistakenly put on a drug that puts them at increased risk of bleeding.
What are potential complications of peptic ulceration?
Bleeding, perforation, scarring and possible obstruction especially if around the pyloric sphincter
What are risk factors of peptic ulceration?
Inability of normal acid to inhibit further acid secretion Early gastric emptying Helicobacter pylori NSAIDs Smoking and alcohol delay healing
What drug class is Gaviscon?
Alginates and antacids
What is the function of antacids?
Buffering the stomach acid, increases the pH and therefore decreases the likelihood of ulcer formation as less damage from stomach acid
What is the function of alginic acid?
Increase stomach content viscosity and reduce reflux
Give an example of a alginate and antacid compound preparation
Sodium alginate (salt alginic acid)
+
Aluminium hydroxide/magnesium carbonate (antacid)
Why are antacids given as a combination of magnesium and aluminium salts?
Magnesium salts can cause diarrhoea and aluminium salts can cause constipation, so limits the amount of adverse effects as they’re adverse effects cancel out
When are antacids and alginates contraindicated?
Na+ and K+ containing preparations should be used with caution in renal failure
High [sucrose] in some preparations – hyperglycaemia in DM
What are the important drug-drug interactions of Gaviscon?
Can reduce absorption and therefore oral bioavailability of many drugs so dose timings should be separated
Increased urine alkalinity can increase aspirin excretion
What is the drug class of lansoprazole and omeprazole?
Proton pump inhibitors.
Describe the mechanism of action of lansoprazole
Irreversibly inhibit the H+/K+ ATPase in gastric parietal cells, reducing the amount of H+ secreted into the stomach
Final stage in the pathway – very significant reduction in acid secretion
What are the adverse drug reactions of lansoprazole?
GI disturbance - abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea
Headache, dizziness
Drowsiness/confusion
What are the warnings/contraindications of omeprazole?
Mask symptoms of gastro-oesophageal cancer
Osteoporosis - fracture risk
Why is lansoprazole preferentially prescribed instead of omeprazole on coronary intervention?
As omeprazole is a CYP inhibitor and reduces the action of clopidogrel ( a prodrug)
Lansoprazole is not a CYP inhibitor