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Commonly Prescribed Medications for Gastrointestinal Conditions8,9,10 |
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| Drug Category |
How They Work |
Prescribed for |
Generic/ Brand Names |
Side Effects May Include |
| Gastrointestinal coating agents | Coat surfaces with a thick, protective substance that protects against acid and other chemicals that can lead to ulcers. | Esophagitis Peptic ulcer |
Sucralfate (Carafate) | Constipation, abdominal pain and gas, if you don't follow a high-fiber diet and drink plenty of fluids |
| Histamine-2 receptor antagonists | Reduce stomach acid production by blocking receptors in cells lining the stomach that produce acid. | GERD Esophagitis |
Ranitidine (Zantac) Cimetidine (Tagamet) Famotidine (Pepcid, Pepcidine) Nizatidine (Axid) |
Headache, dizziness, constipation, diarrhea |
| Proton pump inhibitors | Prevent enzymes lining the stomach from secreting stomach acid. | GERD Esophagitis Peptic ulcer |
Omeprazole (Prilosec, Losec)
Lansoprazole (Prevacid) Esomeprazole (Nexium) Rabeprazole (AciPhex) Pantoprazole (Protonix) |
Stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, dizziness |
| Prokinetics | Increase lower esophageal sphincter pressure to help prevent reflux of stomach contents and help the stomach empty faster. | GERD Gastroparesis |
Metoclopramide (Reglan) | Drowsiness, restlessness, fatigue, constipation, diarrhea |
| Antispasmodic and anticholinergic drugs | Relax the smooth muscle in the gut and/or reduce its ability to contract. They reduce pain but have little effect on diarrhea or constipation. | IBS | Hyoscyamine (Levsin, Levbid) Dicyclomine (Bentyl) Glycopyrrolate (Robinul) Clidinium bromide |
Dry mouth, blurred vision, fatigue, urination problems |
| Antidiarrheal agents | Improve stool consistency and decrease stool frequency. | IBS with diarrhea Diarrhea |
Loperamide (Imodium) | Dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, stomach pain, discomfort or distention; constipation |
| Cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran) | Constipation, bloating, stomach pain, vomiting, heartburn, indigestion | |||
| Serotonin-3 receptor antagonists | Prevent activation of receptors in the gut that affect sensation, bowel movements and secretions. Help reduce diarrhea and bowel urgency. | Severe IBS with diarrhea in women who have not responded to conventional therapies |
Alosetron (Lotronex) | Because of the possibility of serious side effects, including the development of ischemic colitis, patients must sign a consent form, and doctors must sign an attestation form |
| Tricyclic antidepressants | Thought to reduce sensitivity of nerves in the gut. | Moderate-to-severe IBS with diarrhea or pain | Imipramine (Tofranil) Amitriptyline (Elavil) Desipramine |
Fatigue, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention |
| Laxatives and lubricants | Help reduce constipation through lubrication or by drawing water into the colon. | IBS with constipation; regular constipation | Magnesium hydroxide Lactulose Sorbitol Mineral oil (Milkinol) |
Diarrhea, gas, upset stomach |
| Aminosalicylate | Reduce inflammation in the colon wall. | Ulcerative colitis Crohn's disease |
Mesalazine (Asacol, Pentasa) Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, Salazopyrin) Balsalazide (Colazide, Colazal) |
Diarrhea, worsening of colitis |
| Corticosteroids | Reduce inflammation. | Ulcerative colitis Crohn's disease |
Hydrocortisone Budesonide Beclomethasone (oral or rectal) |
Osteoporosis, weight gain, increased appetite, mood swings, increased blood sugar, cataract formation |
| Monoclonal antibody | Block certain parts of the immune response. | Ulcerative colitis Crohn's disease |
Infliximab (Remicade) | Possible life-threatening conditions such as sepsis and TB. Other side effects may include: upper respiratory infections, headache, cough, nausea |
| Ulcerative colitis | Tacrolimus (Prograf) | Increases risk of infection. Other side effects may include: diarrhea, upset stomach, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite, insomnia | ||
| Crohn's disease | Adalimumab (Humira) | Increases risk of infection, including TB. Other side effects may include stomach pain or upset stomach | ||
| Immune-suppressing drugs | Suppress immune system. | Ulcerative colitis Crohn's disease |
Six mercaptopurine (6-MP) | Pancreatic inflammation, reduced white blood cell count, abnormal liver function tests, skin rash |
| Methotrexate | Mouth ulcers, increased diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, liver damage with long-term use | |||
| Azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran) | May reduce production of blood cells in bone marrow. May also increase risk of cancer. More common side effects may include vomiting, diarrhea and muscle aches | |||
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