GI meds

Question 1

Promethazine

Phenergan

Answer 1

Tablet/Rectal suppository
25mg
Take 1 tab or one suppository every 4-6 hours PRN
Use: Prevents and treats nausea/vomiting, motion sickness (pick correct dosage form for symptoms)
Counseling: Drowsiness/Dizziness, avoid alcohol due to enhanced drowsiness, SUN sensitivity

Question 2

Ondansetron
Zofran
Zofran ODT

Answer 2

Tablet, ODT 8mg
Take one tablet prior to need, then every 8 hours as needed
Uses: Prevents nausea and vomiting. NOT FDA approved for treatment of vomiting
Counseling: Fatigue, HA, constipation or diarrhea

Question 3

Omeprazole
Prilosec (RX)
Prilosec OTC

Answer 3

Capsule(Rx), Tablet(OTC), both delayed release
20mg, 1 capsule daily
For acid reflux/indigestion and prevention and treatment of ulcers
Counsel: Works in 1 day up to 4 days for full effect. Food delays absorption, so take 1 hour before food.
Separate from antacids by 2 hours

Question 4

Famotidine (Rx and OTC)
Pepcid (Rx)
Pepcid AC (OTC)

Answer 4

Tablet, 20mg
1 tab twice daily
Uses: acid reflux/indigestion, prevention and treatment of ulcers
Works in 1 day, can be taken with antacids

Question 5

Magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, simethicone

Maalox Advanced

Answer 5

Suspension
100/200/20mg per 5mL
Take 2-4 tsp 4 times a day as needed
AlOH, MgOH: acute acid reflux/indigestion
SIMETHICONE: relief of gas pressure/bloating
Counseling: Shake well, works within minutes, MANY drug-drug interactions, Constipation(Al), Diarrhea(magnesium and simethicone)

Question 6

Calcium Carbonate(OTC)
Tums

Answer 6

500, 750 mg chewable tablet
Chew 2-4 tabs as needed
MAX: 7500mg/day if used for indigestion
MAX: 2500mg/day if used for supplement
For: Ca supplement and acute acid reflux/indigestion(NON FDA approved)
Counseling: Constipation, chew before swallowing, do not use for >2 wks

Question 7

Docusate Sodium (OTC)
Colase

Answer 7

100mg Capsule
100-200mg daily in divided doses
For stool softening to relieve constipation, draws water into the stool
Counseling: Works in 1-3 days, interferes with absoption of some medications so separate by 2 hours, take with full glass of water, diarrhea and cramps

Question 8

Polyethylene glycol(PEG) RX and OTC
MiraLAX(OTC)

Answer 8

powder for suspension, 17g/capful
Laxitive: 17g dissolved in 8 oz of liquid once daily. colonoscopy prep: up to 1 gallon
USE: stool softener and osmotic laxative to relieve constipation. Bowel evacuant for colonoscopy prep(NON FDA approved)
Counsel: Works in 1-3 days, Do not take longer than 2wks without physician supervision, diarrhea and cramps

Question 9

Bisacodyl(OTC)

Dulcolax

Answer 9

5mg Tablet, 10mg suppository
Laxative: 5-15mg orally daily, 10mg rectally daily
Colonoscopy prep: 30mg dose (MAX 30mg/day)
Use: stimulant laxative to relieve constipation, bowel evacuant for colonoscopy prep
Counsel: Oral dose works within 8 hours
Suppository works within 15-60 minutes
Don’t take longer than one wk without physician supervision, diarrhea, cramps

Question 10

Loperamide(RX and OTC)

Imodium(Rx) and Imodium AD (OTC)

Answer 10

Capsule(Rx), Tablet(OTC)
2mg
Take 2 tabs after loose stool, then 1 tab after each loose stool
Max: 8mg/day OTC, 16mg(Rx)/day
used to slow peristalsis to treat diarrhea
Counseling: Drowsiness, If diarrhea not improved in 2 days call MD due to dehydration risk