GI Drug Classes
Mechanism of Action
Indications/Uses
Side Effects
Nursing Considerations
100

This class of drugs is used to neutralize stomach acid in patients with heartburn or GERD

What are antacids?

100

H2 blockers work by blocking these receptors in the stomach 

What are histamine receptors?

100

This drug is used to manage diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

What is loperamide?

100

A common side effect of this class of drugs is headache, dizziness, and diarrhea.

What are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)?

100

Patients should be taught to avoid what foods to help decrease GER affects?

What is alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, spicy foods, fatty foods

200

Psyllium is known as this type of laxative.

What is bulk-forming?

200

This class of drugs blocks the serotonin receptors in the brain to prevent nausea and vomiting.

What are serotonin antagonists?

200

Are the most potent inhibitors of gastric acid secretion

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

200

This drug can cause constipation, electrolyte imbalances, and dehydration, especially with chronic use.

What are laxatives?

200

This is noted as the desired time frame in which patients should take an antacid after a meal

What is 1 to 3 hours?

300

This class of drugs is commonly prescribed for nausea and vomiting related to chemotherapy.

What are antiemetics?

300

This class of drugs reduces gastric acid production by blocking the proton pump in parietal cells of the stomach

What are proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

300

This specific drug works by binding to opioid receptors in the GI tract to slow motility and relieve diarrhea.

What is loperamide (Imodium)?

300

A common side effect of this drug is tachycardia, dizziness, headache, flushing, nausea and vomiting 

What is Imodium? (OPIATE-RELATED ANTIDIARRHEAL AGENTS)

300

Oral ondansetron (Zofran) must be administered by the nurse in this specific way.

What is sublingual? 

400

Prochlorperazine (Compazine) is known as this class of drug.

What are PHENOTHIAZINES?

400

These drugs work by their ability to block dopamine from receptor sites in the brain.

What are PHENOTHIAZINES?

400

This class of drugs is used to treat constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by increasing water content in the stool and stimulating peristalsis.

What are osmotic laxatives (e.g., polyethylene glycol)

400

This electrolyte imbalance should be monitored especially when giving the medication, lactulose

What is potassium?

400

Imodium should not be administered to children younger than this age.

What is 2 years old?

500

Famotidine and Cimetidine are examples of this drug class

What are HISTAMINE 2 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS 

500

These drugs work by drawing water into the intestines through osmosis, which softens the stool and promotes peristalsis.

What are osmotic laxatives?

500

This medication is used for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease, particularly when caused by H. pylori infection.

What are antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin) combined with PPIs? (TRIPLE THERAPY!)

500

This drug can increase the sedative effects of CNS depressants like alcohol.

What is diphenoxylate/atropine (Lomotil)

500

Patients should be instructed to drink this amount of water when taking an H2 Receptor Antagonist.

What is 8oz?

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