Section 17: Gastrointestinal Drugs

17.1 ANTACIDS AND OTHER ANTIULCER

DRUGS

aluminium hydroxide tablet, 500 mg

oral suspension, 320 mg/5 ml

¤cimetidine tablet, 200 mg

injection, 200 mg in 2-ml ampoule

magnesium hydroxide oral suspension,

equivalent to 550 mg

magnesium oxide/10 ml

17.2 ANTIEMETIC DRUGS

metoclopramide tablet, 10 mg (hydrochloride)

injection, 5 mg (hydrochloride)/ml

in 2-ml ampoule

¤promethazine tablet, 10 mg,

25 mg (hydrochloride)

elixir or syrup, 5 mg

(hydrochloride)/5 ml

injection, 25 mg (hydrochloride)/ml

in 2-ml ampoule

17.3 ANTIHAEMORRHOIDAL DRUGS

¤local anaesthetic, astringent ointment

and anti-inflammatory drug or suppository

17.4 ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS

hydrocortisone suppository, 25 mg

(acetate)

¤ retention enema

¤sulfasalazine (2) tablet, 500 mg

suppository, 500 mg

retention enema

17.5 ANTISPASMODIC DRUGS

¤atropine tablet, 0.6 mg (sulfate)

injection, 1 mg (sulfate)

in 1-ml ampoule

17.6 LAXATIVES

¤senna tablet, 7.5 mg (sennosides)

(or traditional dosage forms)

17.7 DRUGS USED IN DIARRHOEA

17.7.1 ORAL REHYDRATION

oral rehydration salts (for glucose– powder, 27.9 g/l

electrolyte solution)

Components g/l

sodium chloride 3.5

trisodium citrate dihydrate 2 2.9

potassium chloride 1.5

glucose 20.0

¤ Example of a therapeutic group. Various drugs can serve as alternatives.

2 Trisodium citrate dihydrate may be replaced by sodium bicarbonate (sodium hydrogen carbonate) 2.5 g/l. However, as the

stability of this latter formulation is very poor under tropical conditions, it is only recommended when manufactured for

immediate use.

Essential Drugs

17.7.2 ANTIDIARRHOEAL (SYMPTOMATIC)

DRUGS

¤codeine (1a) tablet, 30 mg (phosphate)