Medication List 7: Gastrointestinal Medications

Question 1

Promethazine: brands

Answer 1

Phenergan

Question 2

Promethazine: common strengths

Answer 2

12.5mg, 25mg, 50mg

Question 3

Promethazine: common frequency

Answer 3

q4-6h prn

Question 4

Promethazine: indications/use

Answer 4

-prevents and treats nausea/vomiting

Question 5

Promethazine: counseling tips/important info

Answer 5

-drowsiness
-dizziness
-avoid alcohol due to enhanced drowsiness
-sun sensitivity

Question 6

Ondansetron: brands

Answer 6

Zofran

Question 7

Ondansetron: common strengths

Answer 7

4mg, 8mg

Question 8

Ondansetron: common frequency

Answer 8

q8h prn

Question 9

Ondansetron: indications/use

Answer 9

-prevents nausea/vomiting
-non-FDA approved for treatment of vomiting

Question 10

Ondansetron: counseling tips/important info

Answer 10

-fatigue
-headache
-constipation or diarrhea

Question 11

Omeprazole (OTC): brands

Answer 11

Prilosec

Question 12

Omeprazole (OTC): common strengths

Answer 12

10mg, 20mg, 40mg

Question 13

Omeprazole (OTC): common frequency

Answer 13

QD

Question 14

Omeprazole (OTC): indications/use

Answer 14

-acid reflux/indigestion
-prevention of treatment of ulcers

Question 15

Omeprazole (OTC): counseling tips/important info

Answer 15

*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 16

Famotidine (OTC): brands

Answer 16

Pepcid AC

Question 17

Famotidine (OTC): common strengths

Answer 17

10mg, 20mg, 40mg

Question 18

Famotidine (OTC): common frequency

Answer 18

BID

Question 19

Famotidine (OTC): indications/use

Answer 19

*Acid reflux/indigestion
*Prevention and treatment of ulcers

Question 20

Famotidine (OTC): counseling tips/important info

Answer 20

*Works in 1 hour, up to 1 day for full effect
*Can be taken with antacids

Question 21

magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, simethicone (OTC): brands

Answer 21

Maalox

Question 22

magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, simethicone (OTC): common strengths

Answer 22

200mg/200mg/20mg per 5mL

Question 23

magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, simethicone (OTC): common frequency

Answer 23

2-4 tsp PO QID PRN

Question 24

magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, simethicone (OTC): indications/use

Answer 24

magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide:
*Acid reflux/ indigestion

simethicone:
*Relief of gas pressure/ bloating

Question 25

magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, simethicone (OTC): counseling tips/important info

Answer 25

*Shake well *Works within minutes *Many drug-drug interactions *Constipation from aluminum *Diarrhea from magnesium and simethicone

Question 26

calcium carbonate (OTC): brands

Answer 26

Tums

Question 27

calcium carbonate (OTC): common strengths

Answer 27

500mg, 750mg

Question 28

calcium carbonate (OTC): common frequency

Answer 28

Chew 2-4 tabs PRN MAX: 7500mg/day if used for indigestion MAX: 2500 mg as supplement

Question 29

calcium carbonate (OTC): indications/use

Answer 29

*Calcium supplement *Acute acid reflux / indigestion

Question 30

calcium carbonate (OTC): counseling tips/important info

Answer 30

*Constipation *Chew before swallowing *Do not use > 2 weeks for indigestion

Question 31

docusate sodium (OTC): brands

Answer 31

colace

Question 32

docusate sodium (OTC): common strengths

Answer 32

50mg, 100mg, 250mg

Question 33

docusate sodium (OTC): common frequency

Answer 33

QD

Question 34

docusate sodium (OTC): indications/use

Answer 34

*Stool softener to relieve constipation

Question 35

docusate sodium (OTC): counseling tips/important info

Answer 35

*Works in 1-3 days *Take with water *Diarrhea, cramps

Question 36

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) (OTC): brands

Answer 36

GoLYTELY, Miralax

Question 37

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) (OTC): common strengths

Answer 37

17g

Question 38

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) (OTC): common frequency

Answer 38

MiraLAX (laxative): 17g (1 capful) dissolved in 8 oz. of liquid PO once daily prn GoLYTELY (colonoscopy prep): Mix with water to make 1 gallon, drink 8oz every 10 minutes

Question 39

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) (OTC): indications/use

Answer 39

*Osmotic laxative to relieve constipation *Bowel evacuant for colonoscopy prep (Non-FDA approved)

Question 40

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) (OTC): counseling tips/important info

Answer 40

*Laxative works in 1-3 days *Do not take laxative longer than 1 week without MD approval *Colon prep works in 1 hr *Diarrhea, cramps, bloating

Question 41

Bisacodyl (OTC): brands

Answer 41

Dulcolax

Question 42

Bisacodyl (OTC): common strengths

Answer 42

5mg, 10mg

Question 43

Bisacodyl (OTC): common frequency

Answer 43

Laxative: 5-15mg PO daily 10mg rectally daily Colonoscopy prep: 30mg dose MAX: 30mg/day

Question 44

Bisacodyl (OTC): indications/use

Answer 44

*Stimulant laxative to relieve constipation *Bowel evacuant for colonoscopy prep

Question 45

Bisacodyl (OTC): counseling tips/important info

Answer 45

*Oral dose works in 8 hrs *Suppository works within 15-60 minutes *Do not take longer than 1 week without MD approval *Diarrhea, cramps

Question 46

Loperamide (OTC): brands

Answer 46

Imodium

Question 47

Loperamide (OTC): common strengths

Answer 47

2mg

Question 48

Loperamide (OTC): common frequency

Answer 48

2 tablets PO after first loose stool, then 1 tablet after each loose stool MAX: 8mg/day (OTC) 16mg/day (Rx)

Question 49

Loperamide (OTC): indications/use

Answer 49

*Slows peristalsis to treat diarrhea

Question 50

Loperamide (OTC): counseling tips/important info

Answer 50

*Drowsiness *If diarrhea not improved in 2 days, call MD due to de- hydration risk

Question 51

Anti-emetics

Answer 51

Promethazine, Ondansetron

Question 52

Acid reflux

Answer 52

Omeprazole, Famotidine, Maalox, Tums (Calcium Carbonate)

Question 53

Laxatives

Answer 53

Docusate sodium, Polyethylene glycol, Bisacodyl

Question 54

Anti-Diarrheal

Answer 54

Loperamide