Drugs Used to Manage Pain

A condition involving inflammation of the colon, often caused by an infection.

Mixing antidiarrheals with other medications can affect their absorption and effectiveness.

Drugs that neutralize stomach acid, used for heartburn.

Antacids decrease absorption of acidic drugs, potentially lessening their effects.

Loperamide is a pregnancy category B drug, however not typically recommended for pregnant/nursing people

Possible side effects in the gastrointestinal system, such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

Used to treat heartburn, indigestion, and ulcers. Often also used for GERD and stress gastritis.

Potential side effects beyond the GI tract, such as dizziness, drowsiness, and headache.

Cathartics speed up toxin removal from the GI tract by preventing absorption of substances and hastening their expulsion.

Laxatives are categorized into bulk-forming, osmotic, and other types.

Mild laxatives with few side effects, typically increasing stool bulk.

Stronger laxatives that can cause significant side effects, often by drawing water into the intestines.

Assess patient history (allergies, kidney/liver issues), GI symptoms, pregnancy/lactation status, and perform baseline physical exam before and during treatment.

History of allergies to H2 antagonists or impaired kidney/liver function.

A detailed description of the patient's GI problem, duration of symptoms, and prior medical evaluations, helps determine if the H2 antagonist is appropriately used.

Assess the patient's pregnancy or lactation status to determine possible harmful effects of the drug on a developing fetus or the nursing infant.

Drugs that open up large coronary arteries.

Examples of coronary vasodilators, potent vasodilators that decrease blood pressure.

Medications that lower blood lipids (fats/fat-like substances).

High levels of fats or fat-like substances in the blood.

A type of antihyperlipidemic drug that lowers blood lipids, often used with other drugs.

An antihyperlipidemic drug that inhibits cholesterol absorption in the intestines.

Drugs used to treat high blood pressure.

Reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, often causing chest pain.

ACE inhibitors should not be given to patients with a history of angioedema, hypersensitivity to ACE inhibitors, hereditary or idiopathic angioedema, or those taking direct renin inhibitors (like aliskiren).

ACE inhibitors can cause potassium retention (hyperkalemia), so potassium supplements and potassium-sparing diuretics should be given cautiously.

Avoid potassium-containing salt substitutes while taking ACE inhibitors. Administer captopril and moexipril about one hour before meals and promptly report fever, sore throat, leukopenia, hypotension or tachycardia to the prescriber.

Statins are generally tolerable, but potential side effects include headache, dizziness, insomnia, flatulence, abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, and nausea.

Common statins include Atorvastatin, Fluvastatin, Lovastatin, Pravastatin, Rosuvastatin, and Simvastatin.

ACE inhibitors are contraindicated during pregnancy as they may lead to fetal/neonatal morbidity/mortality.

Monitor patients taking ACE inhibitors for protein in the urine, decreased neutrophils/granulocytes, rash, loss of taste, hypotension or severe allergic reactions.

Bile emulsifies fats and lipids, aiding digestion. It is produced and stored by the liver and gallbladder.

Guaifenesin is a medication that helps thin mucus making it easier to cough up and expel it. It's commonly used for relieving symptoms caused by productive cough from conditions like colds, bronchitis, and minor irritations.

Guaifenesin is absorbed into the body through the digestive system, processed by the liver, and excreted through the kidneys. It helps clear mucus by making it thinner and easier to cough out.

Guaifenesin is usually taken in the form of oral medicine, like tablets or syrup. It's helpful in treating the symptoms of coughs associated with various respiratory conditions.

Be careful when using guaifenesin if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have conditions that might worsen with increased heart rate or blood pressure.

Potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and headache. In rare cases, it can cause an allergic reaction.

Medications that block the production of angiotensin II, which causes blood vessels to narrow. They help lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels.

These medications block the action of angiotensin II, preventing it from constricting blood vessels and raising blood pressure.

Medications that interfere with the movement of calcium ions into muscle cells, leading to relaxation of blood vessels and a decrease in heart rate.

They prevent the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, which is a powerful vasoconstrictor (narrower blood vessels). This results in lower blood pressure.

They block the receptors that angiotensin II would normally bind to, preventing its vasoconstrictor effects and lowering blood pressure.

They prevent calcium ions from entering muscle cells, which relaxes blood vessels and lowers heart rate.

These medications bind to bile acids in the intestines, preventing their absorption and causing them to be excreted in feces. This helps lower cholesterol levels.

ACE inhibitors are primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), but they can also be used for heart failure and other conditions.