Drugs for Gastrointestinal Problems Flashcards
The digestive system is composed of
The mouth espionage’s stomach intestines and accessory structures
Prostaglandins maintain good
Blood flow to the stomach
Antiemetic Drugs
Used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting
Vomiting center in the brain
Direct-acting stimuli
Indirect-acting stimuli
Chemoreceptors trigger zone
-opioids, alcohol, certain antibiotics
Classes of antiemetic drugs
Serotonin receptors antagonists, substance P antagonists, phenothiazines, cannabanoids, promotility drugs, butyrophenones, and anticholinergics
Serotonin (5-HT3) Receptor Antagonists
Reduces or halts nausea and vomiting by blocking serotonin receptors in the intestinal tract and the CTZ so serotonin cannot activate these receptors
Uses of serotonin receptors antagonists
Prevent the nausea and vomiting from cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and anesthesia-induced nausea and vomiting after surgery
Serotonin receptors antagonists
Dolasetron (Anzemet), ondasteron (Zofran, Zuplenz), palonosetron (Aloxi)
Dolasteron causes
Dizziness
Contraindications of dolasteron
Drugs that affect serotonin levels
Substance P/neurokonin1 receptor antagonists
Reduce or prevent immediate and delayed nausea and vomiting by blocking the substance P/neurokonin1 receptors in the CTZ, preventing both of these substances from binding to and triggering the CTZ
Aprepitant (Emend), rolapitant (Varubi)
Substance P/neurokinin1 receptor antagonists drugs
Apreptiant or rolapitant
Can be taken with corticosteroids to reduce symptoms of nausea and vomiting even further, may need to be taken in more frequent doses
Phenothiazines
reduce nausea and vomiting by blocking dopamine receptors in the CTZ
prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro), promethazine (Pehnadoz, Phenergan, Promethegan)
Phenothiazine drugs
Adverse Reactions of phenothiazines
can cause hypotension, alcohol can increase drowsiness, can cause Parkinson’s disease-like tremors or gait changes and muscle spasms, or motor changes such as tongue rolling or lip smacking (ESPs)
neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a sudden increase in temperature
Cannabinoids
dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros), nabilone (Cesamet)
Use of cannabinoids
reserved for patients who continue to have nausea and vomiting who do not respond to other categories of antiemetics
Cannabinoid drug administration
typically given as solution or in liquid-filled capsules with the dosage individualized according to body surface area
first dose should be taken on an empty stomach 30 minutes before meals, after the first dose these drugs can be taken with food
Contraindications of cannabinoid drugs
alcohol, sedatives, or other CNS depressants
Promotility drugs
a class of drugs that increases contraction of the upper GI tract including the stomach and the small intestines; they do this by blocking dopamine receptors in the CTZ and the intestinal tract
Metoclorpramide (Reglan), trimethobenzamide (Tigan)
Promotility drugs
Nursing implications of promotility drugs
monitor for mood changes or restlessness, check vital signs regularly to assess for changes in blood pressure (decrease) because there is a risk for orthostatic hypotension, give these drugs at least 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime because these are times of increased potential for nausea
Serotonin receptors antagonist side effects
dizzinesss, headache, and drowsiness; some patients may experience changes in taste, heartburn, constipation or diarrhea
rarely a patient may experience chills with shivering
Adverse reactions of serotonin receptor antagonists
allergic reactions, dysrhythmias, and renal or liver damage
serotonin syndrome can occur
Serotonin receptor antagonist drug interactions
MAOIs, morphine, serotonin reuptake inhibitors
when combined with phenothiazine drugs, patient may experience cardiac dysrhythmias
Nursing implications of serotonin receptor antagonists
follow protocols very carefully to ensure adequate timing before the patient receives chemotherapy, monitor vital signs before and after giving the drug, ask patient about abdominal pain
Action and Uses of Substance P/NK receptor antagonists
block the substance P/NK 1 receptors in the CTZ, prevents triggering of the CTZ
reduce or prevent nausea and vomiting that results from cancer chemotherapy and after surgery
Side effects of Substance P/NK receptor antagonists
fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness; patient may also experience mild hiccups, flatulence, and sweating
Adverse reactions of Substance P/NK receptor antagonists
neutropenia, angiodema, severe allergic reactions, and respiratory depression; anemia, thrombocytopenia
Drug interactions with Substance P/NK receptor antagonists
opioid drugs, drowsiness, increased dizziness, and sedation; use with benzos can increase CNS effects
The oral form of aprepitant should not be opened until
ready to prepare
Injectable fosaprepitant must be carefully prepared
do not shake this drug, gently swirl or invert the solution to gently mix
Phenothiazines are also recognized as
dopamine antagonists
Dopamine antagonists (phenothiazines) are approved to reduce nausea and vomiting from many problems except
the morning sickness associated with pregnancy
Phenothiazines side effects
blurred vision, drowsiness, dry mouth, and dizziness; can cause urine to change to a pinkish red color; sensitivity to sun exposure is common
Phenothiazines should be avoided in patients with
cardiovascular disease, can cause angina, tachycardia and/or orthostatic hypotension
Drug interactions of phenothiazines
metoclopramide (Reglan), can increase the effects of any other drug that affects dopamine (MAOIs, certain antidepressants), avoid benzos for patients who are taking carbidopa/levodopa for PD
Nursing Implications of Phenothiazines
carefully assess vitals, can cause a decrease in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate in some patients
avoid giving to patients with low blood pressure or who are dehydrated
assess for any occurrence of EPS
Avoid being overheated when taking
phenothiazines (decreases ability to sweat)
Photosensitivity can be caused by
phenothiazines
Cannabinoids action
THC reduces nausea by binding to both cannabinoid receptors in the CTZ and by preventing serotonin 5-HT3 from binding to its receptors in the CTZ
Cannabinoid side effects
a dose-related “high”, dizziness, anxiety, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, and mood changes; some patients may experience emotional lability (mood swings)
GI effects such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
orthostatic hypotension is more common in older adults
Adverse reactions of Cannabinoids
acute confusion, hypersensitivity, and seizure-like activity have occurred in some patients
rarely, hallucinations, excessive sweating, and fainting
use with caution with patients who have a history of substance abuse
Cannabinoid drug interactions
warfarin, calcium channel blockers, opioid agonists, and a variety of antiretroviral drugs