Med List 7: GI

Question 1

Promethazine

Answer 1

Brand: Phenergan

Strength: 12.5, 25, 50 mg

Frequency: q4-6h prn

Indications:
- prevent/treat nausea and vomiting
- motion sickness
- allergies

Tips:
- drowsiness/dizziness
- avoid alcohol
- sun sensitivity

Question 2

Ondansetron

Answer 2

Brand: Zofran, Zofran ODT

Strength: 4 mg , 8 mg

Frequency: q8h prn

Indications:
- prevent nausea and vomiting
- NON FDA approved for treating vomiting

Tips:
- fatigue
- headache
- constipation or diarrhea

Question 3

Omeprazole

Answer 3

Brand: Prolosec

Strength: 10, 20, 40 mg

Frequency: qd

Indications:
- acid reflux and indigestion
- prevent/treat ulcers

Tips:
- works in 1 day, but 4 days for full effect
- food delays absorption so take > 1h before food
- separate from antacids by 2 hours

Question 4

Famotidine

Answer 4

Brand: Pepcid

Strength: 10, 20, 40 mg

Frequency: bid

Indications:
- acid reflux and indigestion
- prevent/treat ulcers

Tips:
- works in 1 hour, up to 1 day for full effect
- can be taken with antacids

Question 5

Magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, simethicone

Answer 5

Brand: maalox

Strength: 200mg/200mg/20mg per 5 ml

Frequency: 2-4 tsp by mouth qid prn

Indications:
- magnesium/aluminum hydroxide: acid reflux and indigestion
- simethicone: relief of gas pressure/bloating

Tips:
- shake well
- works within minutes
- lots of drug-drug interactions
- constipation due to aluminum
- diarrhea from magnesium and simethicone

Question 6

Calcium Carbonate

Answer 6

Brand: Tums

Strength: 500, 750 mg

Frequency: chew 2-4 tablets prn
- Max: 7500mg/day if used for indigestion
- Max: 2500mg/day if used as supplement

Indications:
- calcium supplement
- acid reflux and indigestion

Tips:
- constipation
- chew before swallowing
- do not use > 2 weeks for indigestion

Question 7

Docusate Sodium

Answer 7

Brand: colace

Strength: 50, 100, 250 mg

Frequency: qd

Indications:
- stool softener to relieve constipation

Tips:
- works in 1-3 days
- take with water
- diarrhea and cramps

Question 8

Polyethylene Glycol

Answer 8

Brand: GoLYTELY, Miralax

Strength: 17 g

Frequency:
- GoLYTELY (colonoscopy): mix with water to make 1 gal, drink 8 oz every 10 minutes
- Miralax (laxative): 17 g dissolved in 8 oz of liquid once daily prn

Indications:
- osmotic laxative to relieve constipation
- bowel evacuant for colonoscopy prep

Tips:
- laxative works in 1-3 days
- do not take laxative longer than 1 week
- colon prep works in 1 hr
- diarrhea, cramps, bloating

Question 9

Bisacodyl

Answer 9

Brand: Dulcolax

Strength: 5, 10 mg

Frequency:
- Laxative: 5-15 mg by mouth daily or 10mg rectally daily
- Colono Prep: 20-30 mg dose
- Max: 30 mg/day

Indications:
- stimulant laxative to relieve constipation
- bowel evacuant for colonoscopy prep

Tips:
- oral dose works in 8 hrs
- suppository works in 15-60 min
- do not take longer than 1 week
- diarrhea and cramps

Question 10

Loperamide

Answer 10

Brand: Imodium

Strength: 2 mg

Frequency: 2 tab by mouth after first loose stool, then 1 tab after
- Max: 8 mg/day (OTC)
- Max: 16 mg/day (Rx)

Indications:
- slows peristalsis to treat diarrhea

Tips:
- drowsiness
- if diarrhea not improved in 2 days, call MD due to hydration risk