Anti-Diarrhoeals and Laxatives Flashcards
Classes of antidiarrhoeals
Adsorbents
Anticholinergics
Intestinal Flora Modifiers
Opiates
Antibiotics
Examples of adsorbents
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
Kaolin-pectin
Activated charcoal
Attapulgite (Kaopectate)
Examples of anticholinergics
Belladonna alkaloids (Donnatal), atropine, hyoscyamine
Examples of opiates
Paregoric, opium tincture, codeine, loperamide, diphenoxylate
Examples of antibiotics
Azithromycin
Ciprofloxacin
DO NOT give bismuth subsalicylate to children younger than age 16 or teenagers with chickenpox. Why?
Because of the risk of Reye’s syndrome
Classes of laxatives
Bulk forming
Emollient
Hyperosmotic
Saline
Stimulant
Examples of bulk-forming laxatives
psyllium (Metamucil)
methylcellulose (Citrucel)
Polycarbophil
MOA of bulk-forming laxatives
High-fibre products that absorb water to increase bulk by forming gel
Pharmacological action of emollients
- Stool softeners and lubricants, producing agents emulsified with stool
- Promote more water and fat in the stools
- Lubricate the faecal material and intestinal walls
Examples of emollients
Stool softeners: docusate salts (Colace, Surfak)
Lubricants: mineral oil
Pharmacological action of hyperosmotic laxatives
Increase fluidity by promoting water absorption osmotically
Saline laxatives MOA
Increase osmotic pressure within the intestinal tract, causing more water to enter the intestines
Saline laxative examples
Magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts)
Magnesium hydroxide (MOM)
Magnesium citrate
Sodium phosphate (Fleet Phospho-Soda, Fleet enema)
Stimulants MOA
Increases peristalsis via intestinal nerve stimulation
