Drugs acting on the GI tract Flashcards by Faye Cox

Main symptoms of dyspepsia (indigestion)

discomfort or pain in the stomach
bloating, burping and nausea
heartburn

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Main causes of dyspepsia (indigestion)

Overeating
Spicy food alcohol and smoking 
Pregnancy 
Ulcers
Anxiety/stress

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What is an ulcer?

Areas where damage has occurred to the mucosal membrane of the oesophagus, stomach or duodenum

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Symptoms of ulcers

Pain

Bleeding

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Causes of ulcers

Bacterial infection H pylori 
NSAIDs
Smoking
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome 
Anxiety/stress

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Symptoms of Gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder (GORD)

Heartburn

Sour mouth - contents of stomach coming back up

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Main causes of gastro-oesophageal reflux disorder

Overeating
Spicy food alcohol and smoking 
Pregnancy 
Certain drugs
Ulcers
Anxiety/stress

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What kind of drugs can be used to treat indigestion, GORD and ulcers?

Antacids
Antisecretory drugs & mucosal protectants
Antibiotics (Ulcers only)

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What do you know about antacids?

Act locally to neutralise acid in the stomach and decrease pepsin activity due to less acidic pH.
They contain calcium, aluminium and magnesium salts.

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Rennies and Maalox are examples of…

Antacids

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What do you know about Simeticone?

Antacid

It alters surface tension of small bubbles of gas to allow formation of large bubbles which can then be got rid of.

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What do you know about alginates?

Antacids

They react with gastric juices to form a raft that floats on top and protects oesophagus from stomach contents.

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What do you know about H2 receptor antagonists?

They block H2 receptors on parietal cells in stomach
Reduce acid production in stomach.
Treats indigestion and GORD

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Cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine and ranitidine are examples of….

H2 receptor antagonists

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What do you know about proton pump inhibitors?

Drug names end in “prazole”

Form products that permanently bind to proton pumps so they never pump acid again.

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Lansoprazole, omeprazole and pantoprazole are examples of…

Proton pump inhibitors

The antibiotics Clarythromycin, amoxicillin, metronidazole and tetracycline treat…

H. pylori infection

What do you know about Misoprostol?

Synthetic prostaglandin E1

Protects the stomach by preventing acid production and stimulates release of mucous release.

What do you know about Sucralfate?

Reacts with acid to form a sticky paste and coat stomach ulcers.

What do you know about antispasmodics?

Acts on the intestine
Reduces gut motility by relaxing smooth muscle.
Used to treat IBS and diverticular disease.

What do you know about hyoscine butylbromide (buscopan)?

Antispasmodic that acts on the intestine and relaxes smooth muscle to reduce gut motility.
Side effects of constipation and dry mouth.

What do you know about mebeverine Hydrochloride (clofac)?

Antispasmodic that acts on the intestine and relaxes smooth muscle to reduce gut motility.

What do you know about gut motility stimulants?

Act on the intestine stomach sphincters.
Are dopamine D2 receptor antagonists.
Increase peristalsis.
Relax pyloric sphincter
Increases oesophageal sphincter tone.

What do you know about metoclopramide (maxolon) and domperidone (motilium)?

Gut motility stimulants. Dopamine receptors antagonist that increases peristalsis, relaxes pyloric sphincter and increases oesophageal sphincter tone.
Treats nausea & vomiting, IBS, dyspepsia and oesophageal reflux.

What is the first line of treatment for acute diarrhoea?

Oral rehydration therapy with Dioralyte or Electrolade.

How does oral rehydration therapy work?

Contains glucose to prevent water loss by stimulating absorption of water and electrolytes.

What do you know about Loperamide (immodium)?

Anti diarrhoeal that acts on the small and large intestine. Work by decreasing peristalsis in intestines and decreasing explosive contractions within the colon.

Side effects of anti diarrhoeals

``` Nausea and vomiting Drowsiness Constipation Abdominal comfort Fast heart rate ```

What are the 3 classes of laxatives?

Bulk forming Stimulant Osmotic

What do you know about Ispaghula husk (Fybogel & REguan) ?

Bulk forming laxative that increases faecal mass to stimulate peristalsis.

What do you know about Bisacodyl, dantron and senna (sennokot)?

Stimulant laxatives that increase peristalsis to move the stool through the large intestine.

What do you know about Lactulose and macrogols (movicol)?

Osmotic laxatives that contain large sugars/magnesium & sodium salts. Not very soluble so draw water into gut and makes stool softer and easier to pass.