DRUGS
Medications
Used for Common Gastrointestinal Conditions:
Acid
Reducing Medications
These medications are mainly used for gastroesophageal reflux
disease/ heartburn, and treatment/prevention of ulcers.
Antacids
Start working immediately and are inexpensive but are effective
for only a short time.
H-2
blockers
Last much longer than antacids and are often quite effective.
-
cimetidine
(Tagamet)
-
ranitidine
(Zantac)
-
famotidine
(Pepcid)
Proton
Pump Inhibitors
Are the most potent of acid blockers and last the longest. Patients
with esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) due to reflux
should, generally, be on one of these medications.
-
omeprazole
(Prilosec)
-
lansoprazole
(Prevacid)
-
esomeprazole
(Nexium)
-
pantoprazole
(Protonix)
-
rabeprazole
(Aciphex)
Anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications may be helpful
in some patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
-
amitriptyline
(Elavil)
-
Triavil
Anti-diarrheal
medications
Should be used sparingly. Any use beyond the package recommendations
should be discussed with a doctor.
Antiemetics
(anti-nausea medications)
Fiber
Supplements
Provide bulk to the stool.
They can be used to treat both constipation and diarrhea and may
be helpful in many gastrointestinal problems.
-
bisacodyl
(Dulcolax, Correctol)
-
cascara
-
castor
oil
-
Docusate
(Colace) a stool softener
-
CoLyte
-
GoLytely
-
lactulose
-
magnesium
citrate
-
Miralax
-
Milk
of Magnesia
-
senna
-
sodium
phosphate
-
Visicol
(tablet form of sodium phosphate)
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