Drug classification | use and action |
Antacids:
magnesium hydroxide
aluminum hydroxide
calcium carbonate
sodium bicarbonate | used to reduce pain of peptic ulcers by neutralizing acid in the stomach, decreasing irritation of the stomach lining, and inhibiting production of pepsin. |
H2 Receptor Blockers:
cimetidine (Tagamet)
ranitidine (Zantac)
famotidine (Pepcid)
nizatidine (Azid) | used to reduce secretion of gastric acid and promote healing of ulcers |
proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
omeprazole (Prilosec)
esomeprazole (Nexium)
lansoprazole (Prevacid)
pantoprazole (Protonix)
rabeprazole (Aciphex) | used to inhibit gastric acid secretion in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease, GERD, and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome |
Mucosal Barriers:
sucralfate (Carafate) | used to permit healing of an ulcer by interacting with acid to form a protective gel that coats the ulcer surface |
synthetic prostaglandins
misoprostol (Cytotec) | used to decrease gastric acid and protect the gastric mucosa. often used to prevent gastric ulcers caused by NSAIDs |
anticholinergic agents:
atropine, pirenzepine (Gastrozepin) | used to block action of acetycholine, decreases salivary and gastric secretions, reduces pain by reducing smooth muscle tone in GI tract |
laxatives and stimulants
Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
tables and suppositories
senna (Senokot)
cascara Sagrada
castor oil | used to facilitate bowel elimination. Stimulates the GI tract by irritating the mucosa. Tends to produce diarrhea-like stools. Castor oil is too harsh for routine use |
bulk-forming laxatives:
psyllium (Metamucil)
methylcellulose (Citrucel) | used to retain water in the stool to increase bulk and fluid, which stimulates peristalsis with the passage of the formed, soft stool. |
saline (Osmotic) laxatives
magnesium citrate & magnesium hydroxide (MOM)
sodium phosphate (Fleet Phospho-soda)
polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX) | used to draw water into bowel to distend and stimulate evacuation. it is intended for short-term use only. |
lubricants:
mineral oil | used to lubricate feces for easier passage |
Fecal wetting agents:
docusate calcium (Surfak)
docusate sodium (Colace) | used to soften fecal mass. because it may take up to 3 days before effects are evident, these agents are used primarily for prevention of constipation |
Other agent:
lactulose (Cephulac) | used to increase fecal water content to stimulate evacuation. promotes passage of ammonia through the rectum. used in hepatic encephalopathy. available for oral or rectal administration |
polyethylene glycol-electrolyte sodium
(GoLYTELY, HalfLytely, MoviPrep) glycerin suppository or enema | GoLYTELY, HalfLytely and MoviPrep are used to cleanse the bowel before diagnostic procedures. HalfLytely and MoviPrep include other drugs that stimulate the bowel and require less fluid volume than GoLYTELY |
Antidiarrheal Agents
(Opiates)
morphine,
diphenoxylate HCI (Lomotil)
loperamide HCI (Imodium) | used to decrease intestinal motility so that the liquid portion of feces is reabsorbed |
Antidiarrheal Agents
(adsorbents)
kaolin
aluminum hydroxide | used to bind the substances that may cause diarrhea |
Antidiarrheal Agents
Lactobacillus products | used to replace normal bacterial flora of the bowel |
Antiemetics
5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists
ondansetron (Zofran)
granisetron (Kytril)
palonosetron (Aloxi) | used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. Aloxi has a very long half-life (40 hours), so a single dose usually controls initial and delayed chemotherapy side efects |
Antiemetics
substance P/neurokinin 1 receptor blocker
aprepitant (Emend) | |