Gastrointestinal System

Gastrointestinal System

The system responsible for the digestion and absorption of food, consisting of organs such as the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.

Histamine H2 Antagonists

Medications that block histamine receptors in the stomach to decrease the secretion of stomach acid; examples include cimetidine, famotidine, and nizatidine.

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

Medications that inhibit the hydrogen potassium ATPase enzyme in the stomach, reducing gastric acid production; examples include omeprazole and pantoprazole.

Gi Motility

The movement of food through the gastrointestinal tract, which includes processes such as peristalsis.

Adverse Drug Reactions

Unwanted or harmful effects associated with medication use, varying from mild side effects to severe complications.

Client Instructions

Guidelines provided to clients regarding how to take medications, what to expect, and when to report issues to their healthcare provider.

Misoprostol

A medication classified as a prostaglandin E analog that decreases gastric acid secretion and increases the protective mucus in the stomach.

Alosetron

A 5-HT3 blocker used for treating severe diarrhea in clients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), especially in those assigned female at birth.

Lubiprostone

A 5-HT4 receptor agonist used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) and chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).

Antidiarrheal

Medications used to treat diarrhea by decreasing intestinal motility, such as loperamide and diphenoxylate with atropine.

Immunosuppressants

Medications that suppress the immune response, used in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); a prototype is azathioprine.

5-Aminosalicylates

Medications used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as sulfasalazine and mesalamine.

Dopamine Antagonists

Prokinetic medications that increase gastrointestinal motility and are used to treat nausea and vomiting; an example is metoclopramide.

Stimulant Laxatives

Medications used for constipation that promote peristalsis in the intestines, such as bisacodyl and senna.

Surfactant Laxatives

Also known as stool softeners, these increase the absorption of water into the stool; docusate sodium is a common example.

Osmotic Laxatives

Laxatives that draw water into the intestine to soften the stool, like polyethylene glycol (PEG) and magnesium citrate.

Probiotics

Nutritional supplements that restore the normal flora of the intestines, often used in the treatment of diarrhea.

Contraindications

Conditions under which a medication should not be used due to potential harm to the patient.

Interactions

Effects that occur when one substance affects the activity of another substance, often related to medications and their combinations.