DRUGS ACTING ON THE GIT

 

DRUGS ACTING ON THE GIT

PREPARED BY MR. ABHIJIT DAS


ANTI ULCER DRUGS

PEPTIC ULCER

A peptic ulcer is a sore (wound) that develops in the lining of the lower part of esophagus (esophageal ulcer) or various part of stomach (gastric ulcer) or small intestine (duodenal ulcer).

When we eat, the stomach produces highly acidic digestive juices also known as stomach acid to help break down food.

Then the food passes into the duodenum for further digestion and absorption into the bloodstream.

To protect organs from the corrosive effects of stomach acid, a layer of mucus coats the lining of the stomach and duodenum.

When the protective mucus layer breaks down, stomach acid can destroy the lining of stomach or duodenum and cause ulcer.

CAUSES

Most peptic ulcers are caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) through contaminated food or through close contact with an infected person. As the bacteria grow inside your stomach they damage the mucus layer allowing stomach acid to reach the stomach or duodenum lining. Together the bacteria and the stomach acid cause ulcer.

Some peptic ulcers are linked to heavy uses of ‘non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs’ (NSAIDs), including aspirin and ibuprofen. These drugs reduce the ability of stomach and duodenum to protect themselves from the effects of stomach acid.

 

DRUGS USED FOR THE TREATMENT OF PEPTIC ULCER

1.    REDUCTION OF GASTRIC ACID SECRETION

a.     H2 BLOCKERS: Cimetidine, Ranitidine, Famotidine, Roxatidine

b.    PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS: Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole, Esomeprazole

c.     ANTICHOLINERGICS: Pirenzepine, Propantheline, Oxyphenonium

d.    PROSTAGLANDIN ANALOGUE: Misoprostol

2.     NEUTRALIZATION OF GASTRIC ACIDS (ANTACIDS)

a.     SYSTEMIC: Sodium bicarbonate, Sodium citrate

b.    NONSYSTEMIC: Magnesium hydroxide, Magnesium trisilicate, Aluminium hydroxide gel, Magaldrate, Calcium carbonate

3.    ULCER PROTECTIVES: Sucralfate, Colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS)

4.    ANTI H.PYLORY DRUGS: Amoxicillin, Clarithromycin, Metronidazole, Tinidazole, Tetracyclin

H2 BLOCKERS

MECHANISM OF ACTION

All four drugs have similar mechanism of action.

Binding of histamine with H2 receptors present on the surface of gastric parietal cell increases HCl secretion.

But when H2 receptor blockers bind with the H2 receptor and block the binding of histamine with H2 receptors, resulting in inhibition of HCl secretion.


PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS

H2 BLOCKADE: H2 blockers block histamine induced gastric secretion.

BLOOD VESSELS: They cause fall in blood pressure

LUNGS: They cause bronchial relaxation. So H2 blockers are used in histamine induced bronchospasm.

ADVERSE EFFECTS

1.    Diarrhoea

2.    Muscle pain

3.    Dry mouth

4.    Rashes

5.    Dizziness

6.    Headache

THERAPEUTIC USES

1.    They are used to treat duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer

2.    They are used to treat Zolinger-Ellison Syndrome (a rare digestive disorder that results in too much gastric secretion).

3.    They are also used to treat GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease).


ANTI-EMETICS

DEFINITION

Antiemetic drugs are medications that prevent or alleviate the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. They are used to treat various conditions, including motion sickness, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and postoperative vomiting.

CLASSIFICATION

1.    Dopamine D2 Blockers:

·        Example: Domperidone, Metoclopramide

2.    5-HT3 Blockers:

·        Examples:

·        Ondansetron

·        Granisetron

·        Palonosetron

DOPAMINE D2 BLOCKERS

MOA

Dopamine D2 blockers work by blocking a specific type of receptor called D2 receptors in the brain, particularly in a region called the "chemoreceptor trigger zone" (CTZ). By blocking these receptors, they help reduce the signals that can trigger feelings of nausea and vomiting.

ADVERSE EFFECTS

  • Movement Disorders (extrapyramidal symptoms)
  • Sedation and Drowsiness
  • Endocrine Effects (hyperprolactinemia)
  • Gastrointestinal Disturbances
  • Hypotension (low blood pressure)
  • Allergic Reactions

THERAPEUTICAL USES

1.    Treatment of Nausea and Vomiting

2.    Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders

3.    Psychiatric Conditions (e.g., schizophrenia and psychotic disorders)

5HT3 BLOCKERS

MOA

The mechanism of action (MOA) of 5-HT3 blockers involves blocking the serotonin (5-HT3) receptors in both the gastrointestinal tract and the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). By blocking these receptors, 5-HT3 blockers prevent serotonin from binding to its receptors in the CTZ, which is an area in the brain that triggers the sensation of nausea and vomiting.

ADVERSE EFFECTS

1.    Headache: Some individuals may experience headaches as a side effect of these medications.

2.    Constipation: 5-HT3 blockers can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, including constipation.

3.    Fatigue and Drowsiness: These drugs may lead to feelings of fatigue and drowsiness in some individuals.

THERAPEUTICAL USES

1.    Prevention of Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV)

2.    Prevention of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV)

3.    Management of Nausea and Vomiting in Radiation Therapy


LAXATIVES AND PURGATIVES

CONSTIPATION

Constipation means difficult passage of stools. A person is considered to be constipated when bowel movements result in passage of small amounts of hard, dry stool, usually fewer than three times a week.

PURGATIVES

Purgatives are drugs that promotes defecation. They are also called laxatives or cathartics. Laxatives are milder evacuants while cathartics are more powerful evacuants.

CLASSIFICATION OF PURGATIVES

1.    BULK FORMING AGENTS

Dietary fiber: Bran, Psyllium (Plantago), Ispaghula, Methylcellulose

2.    STOOL SOFTNER

Docusates (DOSS), Liquid Paraffin

3.    OSMOTIC PURGATIVES

Magnesium Sulfate, Magnesium Hydroxide, Sodium Sulfate, Sodium Phosphate, Lactulose

4.    STIMULANT PURGATIVES/IRRITANT PURGATIVES

A.   DIPHENYLMETHANES: Phenolphthalein, Bisacodyl, Sodium Picosulfate

B.   ANTHRAQUINONES (EMODINS): Senna, Cascara Sagrada

C.   5-HT4 AGONIST: Tegaserod

D.   FIXED OIL: Castor Oil

BULK FORMING AGENTS

These agents include indigestible vegetable fiber and hydrophilic colloids that increase the volume of intestinal contents forming a large, soft, solid stool.

STOOL SOFTNER

·       Normally, the surface tension of the stool prevents the entry of water and fatty materials into the stool. Docusate salts lower this surface tension and as a result the stool incorporates water and fatty substances, resulting in softening of the stool.

·       Liquid paraffin is a mineral oil that is not digested. It lubricates and softens feces.

OSMOTIC PURGATIVES

Osmotic purgatives are solutes that are not absorbed in the intestine.

They retain water and increase the volume of intestinal contents which increase peristalsis to evacuate stool.

STIMULANT PURGATIVES/IRRITANT PURGATIVES

These are powerful purgatives. They produce peristalsis in the small or large intestine which helps in purgation.

They may cause abdominal cramps.

Larger doses of stimulant purgatives can cause excess purgation resulting in fluid and electrolyte imbalance.

1.   BISACODYL

MOA:

Bisacodyl is converted to active metabolite in the intestine. It irritates colonic mucosa to increase fluid secretion as well as stimulates enteric neurons to promote peristalsis.

2.   SODIUM PICOSULFATE

MOA:

It is hydrolyzed by colonic bacteria to the active form, which then acts locally to irritate the mucosa and activate the enteric neurons, resulting in peristalsis.

3.    SENNA

MOA:

They are activated into their active form in the intestines and stimulate the enteric neurons in the colon, resulting in peristalsis.

4.   CASTOR OIL

MOA:

Castor oil is hydrolyzed in the upper small intestine to ricinoleic acid, a local irritant that increases intestinal motility.

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