Antidiarrheal Drugs and Laxatives.docx

 Antidiarrheal Drugs and Laxatives  Characteristics of Diarrhea Abnormal passage of stools with increased frequency, fluidity, and weight Acute diarrhea occurs suddenly, lasts 3 days to 2 weeks, self-limiting Chronic diarrhea lasts for more than 3 weeks, associated with various symptoms  Causes o...

 Antidiarrheal Drugs and Laxatives  Characteristics of Diarrhea Abnormal passage of stools with increased frequency, fluidity, and weight Acute diarrhea occurs suddenly, lasts 3 days to 2 weeks, self-limiting Chronic diarrhea lasts for more than 3 weeks, associated with various symptoms  Causes of Diarrhea Bacteria, viruses, medications Tumors, diabetes, nutritional factors Protozoa, drugs, Addison’s disease, hyperthyroidism, etc.  Goals of Diarrhea Treatment Stopping stool frequency, alleviating abdominal cramps Replenishing fluids and electrolytes, preventing weight loss Preventing nutritional deficits from malabsorption  Antidiarrheals Adsorbents, antimotility drugs, probiotics Mechanism of action involves coating GI tract walls, binding to causative agents Examples include bismuth subsalicylate, activated charcoal  Antidiarrheals Adverse Effects Increased bleeding time, constipation, confusion, hearing issues Adverse effects of adsorbents like bismuth subsalicylate Antimotility drugs adverse effects include dry skin, blurred vision, hypotension  Antimotility Drugs: Anticholinergics Decrease intestinal muscle tone, slow fecal matter movement Used in combination with adsorbents and opiates Adverse effects include urinary retention, headache, dizziness  Opiates Decrease bowel motility, relieve rectal spasms Include paregoric, opium tincture, codeine Adverse effects like respiratory depression, nausea, flushing  Intestinal Flora Modifiers Also known as probiotics or bacterial replacement drugs Bacterial cultures of Lactobacillus organisms Work by supplying missing bacteria, suppressing growth of harmful bacteria  Laxative Types Bulk-forming, emollient, hyperosmotic, saline, stimulant Each type has a specific mechanism of action and purpose  Bulk-Forming Laxatives High in fiber, absorb water to increase bulk Include psyllium, methylcellulose  Emollient Laxatives Act as stool softeners and lubricants Promote water and fat in stools, include docusate salts, mineral oil  Hyperosmotic Laxatives Increase fecal water content, result in bowel distention Include polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, lactulose  Saline Laxatives Increase osmotic pressure, cause more water to enter intestines Include magnesium sulfate, sodium phosphate  Stimulant Laxatives Increase peristalsis via intestinal nerve stimulation Include castor oil, senna, bisacodyl  Laxatives Indications Different laxative groups and their specific uses Bulk-forming for acute and chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. Emollient for softening fecal impaction, facilitating bowel movements  Laxatives Contraindications Drug allergy, acute surgical abdomen, intestinal obstruction To be cautious with appendicitis symptoms, undiagnosed abdominal pain  Laxatives Adverse Effects Electrolyte imbalances, esophageal blockage, skin rashes Rectal irritation, abdominal bloating, nutrient malabsorption  Nursing Implications for Laxatives Interactions with other drugs, swallowing whole tablets Encouraging high-fiber diet, fluid intake, and exercise Long-term use risks, symptoms to report to physician