Upper GIT medications

Question 1

Upper gastrointestinal tract:

Answer 1

Functions - performs the mechanical and chemical process of digestion, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.

Protective factors - the digestive tract must work without being destroyed by the strong acid it makes to digest food.

Digestion variables - changes in GI blood flow, amount of surface available, and motility are found in very young and older adult patients.

Question 2

Upper GIT includes:

Answer 2

• oesophagus
• stomach
• pancreas
• gallbladder

Question 3

Common problem in the Upper GIT:

Answer 3

• excess activity of stomach juices into either the oesphagus or the duodenum where they irritate the gut wall

Question 4

3 major types of Upper GI medications:

Answer 4

1. Antacids
2. Histamine H2-receptor antagonists
3. Proton pump inhibitors

Question 5

Antacids action and uses:

Answer 5

• antacids neutralises hydrochloric acid and increase gastric PH
• antacids tightens gastric mucosa
• form gas to promote burping

Question 6

Antacids adverse effects:

Answer 6

• weakness
• anorexia
• diarrhoea
• frequent burping
• bowel obstruction
• constipation
• thirst

Question 7

Histamine H2-recpetor antagonists action and uses:

Answer 7

• displace histamine from the receptor site and prevent stimulation of the secretory cells (neutralize acid and promote healing of ulcers)
• act with antacids to produce more alkaline conditions in GI tract
• rapidly absorbed - reach peak effectiveness 45-90 minutes

Question 8

H2-receptor antagonists’ adverse effects:

Answer 8

adverse effects are rare however they can include:
- dizziness
- headache
- mild/brief diarrhoea
- rash
- impotence
- muscle pain
- fever

Question 9

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) action and uses:

Answer 9

• used to heal gastric ulcers - irreversibly stop the acid secretory pump embedded in the parietal cells

Question 10

Proton pump inhibitor adverse effects:

Answer 10

• headache
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• nausea

Question 11

Other Upper GIT medications - Antibiotics:

Answer 11

Antibiotics - Helicobacter pylori
- generally administered as a triple therapy regimen 10-14 days

Question 12

Antiemetic drugs action and uses:

Answer 12

Action - agents act to redirect stimulation by stopping or reducing stimulation of the vomiting center

Uses: - prevent and treat motion sickness or nausea and vomiting that occur with surgery, anesthesia and cancer treatment

Question 13

Example and side effects of antiemetic drugs:

Answer 13

• Compazine
• Phenergan

side effects include:
- drowsiness
-drug tolerance with long-term therapy

Question 14

Sucralfate is:

Answer 14

• used for treatment of ulcers
• aids ulcer healing by forming protective layer at ulcer site
• example is Carafate - anti-ulcer medication
• side effects include - constipation, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, dizziness, back pain, rash, headaches

Question 15

Misoprostol is:

Answer 15

• used to treat ulcers
• useful for people where other treatments are not effective - especially for people on NSAIDS
• not for pregnant women
• Example - Cytotec

Question 16

Anticholinergic medication is:

Answer 16

• used to treat peptic ulcer, hyperacidity and acute pancreatitis
• reduces GI tract spasm and intestinal motility, acid production, gastric motility
• gastric emptying is slowed and neutralisation increased

Question 17

Anticholinergic adverse reactions:

Answer 17

• rapid/weak pulse
• blurred vision
• dysphagia

Question 18

Examples of Anticholinergic medications:

Answer 18

• Atropine sulphate
• Belladonna tincture

Question 19

Other drugs include:

Answer 19

GI stimulants - used to treat nocturnal heartburn related to GORD. Example - Cisapride

Gallstone dissolution drugs - assist to break down cholesterol in gall stones. used to treat small gallstones. Example - Actigall, Urso Forte

Question 20

Digestive Enzymes are:

Answer 20

• promotes digestion by acting as replacement therapy when the body’s natural pancreatic enzymes are lacking, not secreted, not properly absorbed
• taken just before meal or snack
• example - pancrelipase

Question 21

Vitamin B complex:

Answer 21

B-group vitamins:
- deficiencies
- water soluble
- most are not stored in the body - need to be consumed regularly
- assist the body to use carbohydrates, fat and protein for fuel