General Principles

• Medication choices depend on the specific GI issue:
  • Reduce acid production.
  • Decrease motility.
  • Treat infections.
  • Manage symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.

Common Classes of GI Medications:

1. Antacids

• Neutralize excess stomach acid.
• Used to relieve heartburn and acid reflux.
• Protect the esophagus and stomach lining.

2.  H2 Blockers and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

• H2 blockers (e.g., ranitidine, famotidine):
  • Block histamine receptors on parietal cells.
  • Reduce HCl secretion.
• Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole, pantoprazole):
  • Block hydrogen proton pumps.
  • Most effective at reducing stomach acid.

3.  Anti-emetics

• Reduce nausea and vomiting.
• Examples: Ondansetron, promethazine.
• Used in motion sickness or chemotherapy-related nausea.

4.  Laxatives

• Treat constipation.
• Promote bowel movements.
• Need to be taken with water.

5.  Anti-diarrheal

• Reduce peristalsis.
• Help manage diarrhea and cramps.

6.  Anti-inflammatory drugs

• Reduce gastrointestinal inflammation.
• Used in conditions like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

7.  Antibiotics

• Treat bacterial infections like Helicobacter pylori (causes peptic ulcers).

8.  Coating agents and antacids

• Protect the lining of the stomach or esophagus.
• Used in ulcers and GERD.

Drugs Targeting Specific Conditions:

1.  Peptic Ulcers

• H. pylori infection often causes ulcers.
• Antibiotics combined with acid reducers.

2.  Heartburn & Acid Reflux

• Antacids, H2 blockers, PPIs.

3.  Constipation

• Laxatives (e.g., fiber supplements, osmotic laxatives).

4.  Diarrhea

• Anti-diarrheal agents (e.g., loperamide -FYI).

5.  Inflammation

• Anti-inflammatory drugs for inflammatory bowel disease.

6.  Special Agents

• Coating agents: Protect the mucosa from acid (e.g., sucralfate-FYI).
• Motility reducers: Anticholinergics to reduce GI secretions and motility.
• Bacterial eradication: Antibiotics for infection eradication.

Summary

• Medication choices are tailored to specific GI problems.
• Reducing acid secretion, controlling motility, and managing infections are common strategies.
• Proper medication use helps protect the GI lining, relieve symptoms, and treat underlying causes.