GI: Treatment of Diarrhoea + Constipation

Question 1

What family of drugs do loperamide and codeine belong to?

Answer 1

Opiates

Question 2

What are these opiate based drugs used to treat with regards to the GI system?

Answer 2

Diarrhoea

Question 3

How do loperamide/codeine affect peristalsis?

Answer 3

They decrease peristalsis

Question 4

How do loperamide/codeine affect segmentation?

Answer 4

They increase segmentation

Question 5

How do loperamide/codeine affect fluid absorption?

Answer 5

They increase fluid absorption

Question 6

What are the side effects of loperamide/codeine?

Answer 6

Constipation
Drowsiness
Urinary retention

Question 7

When is use of these opiate based drugs contraindicated?

Answer 7

C.Diff induced colitis

Acute ulcerative colitis

Question 8

Which receptors do opiates activate? What is the result of this?

Answer 8

N-opiod receptors. Hyper polarisation which inhibits enteric neurones

Question 9

What are 5-ASA drugs such as mesalazine used to treat?

Answer 9

Ulcerative colitis

Question 10

What properties does mesalazine have?

Answer 10

Anti-inflammatory

Question 11

What are the side effects of 5-ASA drugs

Answer 11

Can worsen diarrhoea
Cramps
Nausea

Question 12

Give examples of bulk forming laxatives

Answer 12

Methylcellulose

Ispagala husk

Question 13

Give examples of stimulant laxatives

Answer 13

Senna

Bisacodyl

Question 14

Give examples of osmotic laxatives

Answer 14

Lactulose

Macrogols

Question 15

What are laxatives used to treat?

Answer 15

Constipation
Painful defecation
Faecal impaction
To clear bowel before endoscopy/Surgery

Question 16

Which laxative is used in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy?

Answer 16

Osmotic, e.g. lactulose

Question 17

What are the side effects of laxatives?

Answer 17

Abdominal pain

Flactulence