drugs in GI Flashcards
what factors affect absorption in the GI tract? (9 things)
- Gut motility – if quick movement, less time for drug absorption
- Gastric emptying
- Surface area – rate greatest in SI
- Gut pH – some drugs will denature in the acidity
- Blood flow
- Presence of food and fluid: eg tetracycline – reduced if diary in gut as it will collate. Rivaroxaban – have with food
- Antacids- may neutralise other drugs
- Drug composition and site of administration- IV/ oral/ topical/ nasal/ inhalation
define constipation
defection that is unsatisfactory because of infrequent stool, difficulty in passing stools or sensation of incomplete emptying
how many bowel movements weekly define constipation?
less than 3
what is faecal impaction?
retention of faeces - can vomit it
what are symptoms of constipation?
loss of appetite, hard stools, painful bowel movement, possible bleeding, stomach distension/ bloating
name some medications that can cause constipation
- Opioids
- Iron
- Antipsychotics including clozapine
- Diuretics
- Verapamil – CCB
what medical conditions can pre-dispose to constipation?
- Coeliac – can cause diarrhoea
- Depression
- GI obstruction – carcinoma, ilueus, ovarian/ uterine tumours
- Electrolyte imbalances
- MS/ parkinsons
- Damage to pelvic floor – childbirth
what is overflow?
diarrhoea can squeeze past blockage
what do bulk forming laxatives do?
act by retaining fluid within stool and increasing faecal mass, stimulating peristalsis
eg ispaghula husk – fibre gel
what are side effects of bulk forming laxatives?
flatulence and bloating
what is the action of osmotic gel laxative?
increase amount of fluid in large bowel producing distension of peristalsis and stool softener
name some osmotic gel laxatives
- Macrogol, lactulose (takes a few days to work), phosphate enema
what are the side effects of osmotic gel laxatives?
abdo cramps, bloating, flatulence, nausea, vomiting
what is the action of stimulant laxatives - senna?
cause peristalsis by stimulation of colonic nerves
what is the action of stimulant laxatives like bisacodyl or sodium picosulphate?
stimulating colonic pr rectal nerves
what are side effects of senna laxatives?
: abdo cramps, diarrhoea, nausea/ vomiting, senna may cause yellow- brown colour urine
name some bowel cleansing agents?
citamag moviprep
what is the action of prucalopride laxative?
prokinetic laxative, stimulating intestinal motility
when would prucalopride laxatives be used?
end stage - specialist
how do you manage constipation (3 mths >)
: lifestyle – fruit/ veg increase, aim for 30g daily of fibre, increase fluid, exercise. Bulk forming, osmotic (hard stool hard to pass), stimulant (soft stool but difficult to pass)
how do you manage opioid induced constipation?
: lifestyle, NO BULK FORMING, osmotic + stimulant, then gradually reduce laxative
how can palliative care cause constipation?
medications may contribute (antimuscarinics, opioid analgesics, antacids), secondary effect of disease, direct effect of malignancy causing bowel obstruction, hypercalcaemia, nerve damage
how is palliative care constipation managed?
- Aim to alleviate contributing factor, stimulant and softener (senna and lactulose), titrate and add macrogol
- If faecal impaction/ loading enema
what is the issue with macrogol (osmotic gel laxative)
sachet that needs mixing into water
may be an issue in those that can not swallow - may need to drink alot
how do manage chronic constipation that induces faecal loading?
high dose oral macrogol, enemas, suppositories, disimpaction and oral laxatives in stepwise manner
how do manage constipation in pregnancy?
lifestyle and short term laxatives
- Bulk, lactulose and senna
why do you want to quickly resolve constipation in pregnancy?
reduce strain on pelvis
how long is acute diarrhoea?
< 14 days
what usually causes acute diarrhoea?
bacterial, viral, food, anxiety
what is defined as chronic diarrhoea?
> 4 weeks
what can cause chronic diarrhoea?
IBS, diet, coeliac, bowel cancer
what endocrine conditions can cause diarrhoea?
– hyperthyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, carcinoid tumours, medullary thyroid