Gastrointestinal (GI) Drugs

Question 1

List the main classes of drugs used to treat gastrointestinal (GI) system disorders

Answer 1

Emetics, Antiemetics, Promotility drugs, Anti-motility drugs, Acid reducing drugs, Protective drugs & Laxatives

Question 2

Why should VAs avoid recommending Gravol over the phone to owners of vomiting animals?

Answer 2

Gravol has potentially serious side-effects and can mask symptoms that may cause a delay in diagnosis and treatment of serious gastrointestinal disease.

Question 3

List the most common emesis inducing drugs

Answer 3

Apomorphine, Dexmetdetomidine and Hydrogen Peroxide

Question 4

List the most common antiemetics?

Answer 4

Cerenia, Gravol and Metoclopramide

Question 5

List the 2 promotility drugs and where they act in the GI tract

Answer 5

Metoclopramide. Esophagus and Stomach.
Cisapride. Large Intestine

Question 6

What is the trade name of the antimotility drug that is an opioid

Answer 6

Imodium

Question 7

What is the name of the most common antidiarrhea drug in small animal veterinary medicine? What type of drug is it?

Answer 7

Metronidazole. Antibiotic.

Question 8

What type of drugs are the older generation acid reducing drugs? Name 2.

Answer 8

H2 blockers. Cimetidine, Ranitidine, Famotidine.

Question 9

What type of drugs are the new generation of acid reducing drugs?

Answer 9

Proton pump inhibitiors. Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Lansoprazole.

Question 10

Name the protective drug used in upper GI ulceration.

Answer 10

Sucralfate

Question 11

What precautions need to be taken with Sucralfate?

Answer 11

If used with an acid reducing drug, it should be given 1 hour before or 2 hours after that drug.

Question 12

What are the 3 most common laxatives used in small animal veterinary medicine.

Answer 12

Fibre, Lactulose and Polyethylene glycol (PEG) powder

Question 13

What is used to bind toxins in cases of poisoning?

Answer 13

Activated charcoal