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Drugs for diarrhea & constipation. Diarrhea. Causes of diarrhea Nonpharmacologic measures Traveler’s diarrhea Frequent cause: Escherichia coli Preventive measures. Antidiarrheals. Purpose of antidiarrheals Types of antidiarrheals Opiates and opiate-related agents
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Diarrhea • Causes of diarrhea • Nonpharmacologic measures • Traveler’s diarrhea • Frequent cause: Escherichia coli • Preventive measures
Antidiarrheals • Purpose of antidiarrheals • Types of antidiarrheals • Opiates and opiate-related agents • Diphenoxylate with atropine • Somatostatin analog, octreotide (Sandostatin) for severe diarrhea • Adsorbents; Kaopectate • Antidiarrheal combinations
Constipation • Causes • Nonpharmacologic measures • Laxatives • Laxatives vs. cathartics vs. purgatives • Types of laxatives • Osmotic (saline) • Stimulant (contact) • Bulk-forming • Emollient (stool softeners)
Osmotic (Saline) Laxatives • Types and action • Side effect: electrolyte imbalances, hypotension, weakness, etc. • Stimulants ( contact) laxatives • Types and action • Side effects: abdominal cramps, electrolyte imbalances
Bulk-Forming Laxatives • Type and action • Administration of bulk-forming laxatives • Adverse effects: intestinal obstruction without sufficient amount of water • Stool softeners • Types and action
Bulk-Forming Laxatives (cont’d) • Contraindications • Inflammatory disorders of the GI tract • Appendicitis • Diverticulitis • Ulcerative colitis • Spastic colon • Bowel obstruction • Pregnancy