Gastrointestinal Drugs

Antacids
Carminatives
Digestants
Antiemetics
Laxatives
Antidiarrheal
Hepatoprotective

Antacids
Antacid is a substance which neutralizes stomach acidity and is used
to relieve heartburn, indigestion, or an upset stomach.
Chemical substances which remove the excess acid in the stomach
and raise the pH to appropriate level are called antacids, e.g., sodium
hydrogencarbonate, a mixture of aluminium and magnesium
hydroxide, ranitidine, Histamine H2 receptor (Aciloc), etc
Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole, and Ranitidine are all drugs that reduce
gastric acid secretion and are used to treat a variety of conditions:
Pantoprazole
A proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that inhibits the final step in gastric
acid production. It's used to treat heartburn, acid reflux,
gastroesophageal reflux disease, and stomach ulcers.
Rabeprazole
A PPI that inhibits the H+, K+ATPase of gastric cells. It's used to treat
erosive gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Ranitidine
Reduces gastric acid secretion by binding to histamine (H2) receptors
on gastric parietal cells.
Pantoprazole side effects
You should report allergic reactions, kidney injury, fever, joint pain,
loss of appetite, nausea, skin rash, swelling of the body, feet, or
ankles, unusual tiredness or weakness, or unusual weight gain to your
doctor right away.
Healing rates
In studies comparing pantoprazole and ranitidine, pantoprazole was
more effective at healing gastroduodenal ulcers and improving
symptom relief.

Carminatives
Carminatives are herbs or preparations that help with flatulence by
preventing gas from forming in the gastrointestinal tract or helping to
expel it. They can also relieve bloating, discomfort, and abdominal
pain.
Carminatives can be ingested as food substances that create a feeling
of intestinal warmth. They can also be used to flavor starchy dishes,
especially those made with beans, to help with burping and passing
gas.

Some examples of carminative herbs include:

peppermint, allspice, cloves, sage, thyme, anise, basil, cinnamon,
garlic, and ginger.

Digestants
A digestant is a substance, such as digestive enzymes, that aids in the
breakdown of food into absorbable nutrients, supporting digestion,
immune health, and overall well-being.
Examples of digestant drugs include:
Hydrochloric acid: Activates pepsinogen into the enzyme pepsin,
which helps break down amino acid bonds
Pepsin: An enzyme that helps with digestion
Papain: An enzyme that helps with digestion
Pancreatin: An enzyme that helps with digestion
Diastase: An enzyme that helps with digestion
Alpha-d-galactosidase: A digestive enzyme sold under the brand
names Beano and Gas-X Prevention
Sacrosidase: A digestive enzyme sold under the brand name Sucraid
Cholic acid: A digestive enzyme sold under the brand name Cholbam.
Digestive enzymes
What are Digestive enzymes?
Digestive enzymes are proteins that speed up the breakdown
(hydrolysis) of food molecules into their separate components (for
example, sucrose is split into glucose and fructose). These reactions
happen within the gastrointestinal tract (GI), and most of the digestive
enzymes present naturally in our bodies are secreted by the pancreas
into the small intestine via the pancreatic duct.
Examples of digestive enzymes include amylase, gelatinase, lactase,
lipase, maltase, peptidase, and protease.

Digestive enzyme products may be given orally at meal times to

improve digestion in people who cannot digest food properly because
their pancreas does not produce the required amounts of enzymes (can
occur as a result of cystic fibrosis, surgery, inherited conditions and
other reasons).

Antiemetics
Antiemetic drugs are used to treat nausea and vomiting by interfering
with neurotransmitter receptors that control vomiting. The type of
antiemetic drug used depends on the cause of the nausea and
vomiting.
Some examples of antiemetic drugs include:
Serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists
These drugs include Ondansetron, granisetron, dolasetron, and
palonosetron. They work by blocking serotonin from interacting with
the 5-HT3 receptor.
Anticholinergic agents
These drugs include hyoscyamine, methscopolamine, and
scopolamine. Scopolamine is commonly used to treat motion sickness
or before surgery.
Antihistamines
These drugs include cyclizine, dimenhydrinate, hydroxyzine,
meclizine, and promethazine. Dimenhydrinate can also treat vertigo
and middle ear imbalances.
Cannabinoid receptor agonists
These drugs include dronabinol, nabilone, and tetrahydrocannabinol.
Substance P/Neurokinin 1 receptor antagonists
These drugs include aprepitant, fosaprepitant, fosnetupitant, and
rolapitant. Aprepitant is used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by
chemotherapy or surgery.
Glucocorticoids
Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid that is used to prevent nausea and
vomiting after surgery or during chemotherapy.
Triflupromazine
This drug is used to treat nausea and vomiting, and is also used to
manage psychoses
Laxatives
There are several types of laxatives, including osmotic, bulk forming,
stool softeners, and stimulants:

Osmotic laxatives
Draw water into the bowel to soften stool. Examples include:
Polyethylene glycol: Also known by the brand names Gavilax and
MiraLAX.
Magnesium hydroxide solution: Also known by the brand names
Dulcolax, Ex-Lax, and Phillips' Milk of Magnesia.
Glycerin: Also known by the brand names Colace Glycerin and Fleet
Pedia-Lax.
Bulk forming laxatives
Absorb water to form a soft, bulky stool. Examples include:
Benefiber
Citrucel
FiberCon
Metamucil
Stool softeners
Add moisture to stool to soften it. Examples include:
Colace
Surfak
Docusate Calcium

Stimulants
Trigger contractions in the intestinal muscles to eliminate stool.
Examples include:
Dulcolax
Senokot Bisacodyl
Senna/Sennosides

Antidiarrheal
A substance used to treat diarrhea (frequent and watery bowel
movements).
Loperamide: A long-acting drug that can treat chronic diarrhea and
nonspecific diarrhea. It's also known by the brand name Imodium.

Bismuth subsalicylate: An anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal agent

that can treat diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, and other stomach and
gastrointestinal discomforts. It's also available over-the-counter.

Diphenoxylate: An antidiarrheal medication that's often combined

with atropine and sold under the brand name Lomotil.

Kaolin: A natural ingredient that can treat diarrhea, skin dryness, and
minor skin bleeding. It's an absorbent antidiarrheal agent.

Codeine sulfate: An opioid that can treat diarrhea and provide relief
from pain and cough.

Octreotide: An injection used to treat severe diarrhea and other

symptoms associated with certain intestinal tumors.

*Alosetron, eluxadoline, and rifaximin: Prescription medications that

may be recommended for diarrhea.

Side effects of antidiarrheal drugs include:

Dizziness
Drowsiness
Tiredness
Constipation
Stomach or abdominal pain
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Severe dizziness
Fainting

Hepatoprotective
Hepatoprotective drugs help prevent or repair liver damage. Some
examples of hepatoprotective drugs include:
N-acetylcysteine (NAC): An antioxidant that helps protect the liver
from injury caused by toxins, alcohol, and medications
Silymarin: An extract from milk thistle that has antioxidant and anti-
inflammatory properties
Curcumin: A compound found in turmeric that has anti-inflammatory
and antioxidant properties
Dandelion root: A home treatment for liver issues that has anti-
inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA): Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a
bile acid that can be used to treat liver disease and gallstones. The
first line drug for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)
Prednisolone: A steroid that helps reduce inflammation in the liver

Other hepatoprotective drugs include:

Glutathione, Glycyrrhizin Acid Preparation, Polyene
Phosphatidylcholine, Bicyclol, Crocetin, Nigella seeds, Grapefruit,
Cranberries, and Grapes.