Term
Anti-diarrheals - ANSWER Stops further occurrence of diarrhea. Notable medicines are
Loperamide "Immodium", Diphenoxylate Hcl with Atropine "Lomotil", Bismuth
subsalicylate "Pepto bismul"
Pepto s/e: black stools and tongue
Laxatives - ANSWER Used to ease or stimulate defecation
Soften the stool
Increase stool volume
Hasten fecal passage through the intestine
Facilitate evacuation from the rectum
*Misuse comes from misconceptions of what constitutes normal bowel function
Fiber Laxatives - ANSWER absorbs water, softening feces and increasing their mass.
Can be digested by colonic bacteria, whose subsequent growth increases fecal mass.
ex. Bran, veggies and fruits.
Meds: mehylcellulose, psyllium, polycarbophil
Surfactant Laxatives - ANSWER Meds: Docusate sodium (Colace)
Docusate calcium (Surfak)
temporary treatment of constipation
* avoid if narrowing of intestines
Give with a full glass of water or juice
Osmotic Laxatives - ANSWER Salts draw water into the intestine causing fecal mass to
soften and swell stimulating peristalsis. Low dose 6-12 hours, high dose 2-6 hours.
magnesium hydroxide,
magnesium citrate,
polyethylene glycol,
lactulose (can be used to lower blood ammonia in liver disease)
* Increase fluid intake. Not good for kidney disease. Sodium phosphate exacerbates
cardiac disease.
Stimulant Laxatives - ANSWER bisacodyl: (tablets: give at night to have BM in am , no
crushing or chewing, no milk or antacids;Suppositories: BM within 15-60 min, may
cause proctitis);
senna: BM 6-12 hours after. May cause pink or brown urine.
castor oil: acts on small intestine 2-6 hour BM. Limit to only when prep for radiology
procedures. Chill and mix in juice.
* easily abused,
Give with a full glass of water.
Miscellaneous Laxatives - ANSWER Lubiprostone, mineral oil, glycerin suppository,
polyethylene glycol- electrolyte solution, Sodium picosulfate / magnesium
oxide/anhydrous citric acid
, Advanced Pharmacology 6521 Mid
Term
antiemetic - ANSWER a medication that is administered to prevent or relieve nausea
and vomiting
Ondesetron
Class: 5HT3 receptor antagonist - ANSWER Zofran
Indication: Chemotherapy N/V, postoperative N/V, radiation induced N/V
Oral or Parental
* Prolonges QT interval (leading to torsades de pointes)
Glucocorticoids used as antiemetic - ANSWER Not approved by FDA. Solumedrol and
dexamethasone. Given IV.
Metoclopramide (Reglan) - ANSWER controls post-op NV
suppresses emesis and increases upper GI mobility
Cannabinoids - ANSWER Dronabinol (marinol) and Nabilone (cesamet). Suppresses
CINV.
Alosetron (Lotronex) - ANSWER Used for IBS-D in women that has lasted > 6 months
Blocks 5-HT3 receptors resulting in firm stool and decrease in urgency and frequency of
defecation
Can cause constipation
PPIs - ANSWER Proton-pump inhibitors - pronounced and long-lasting reduction of
gastric acid production - destroyed by stomach acid (take on empty stomach) - work
really well - "attack from the back" - used as a controller
Ex. Omeprazole (Prilosec)
Mesalamine - ANSWER ulcerative colitis
Ranitidine (Zantac) - ANSWER H2 receptor antagonist. Potent inhiitor of gastric acid
secretion
Indications: GERD, ulcers, H. pylori, reflux, indigestion
ADR: Pain, constipation, diarrhea, headache. Can cause jaundice
Ulcers treatment - ANSWER
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) - ANSWER periodic disturbances of bowel function, such
as diarrhea and/or constipation, usually associated with abdominal pain. Intermittent
diarrhea and constipation with pain.
Treat and prevent symptoms:
Antispasmodics, bulk forming agents, antidiarreheals and tricyclic antidepressants.