NCLEX Review & Nursing School

Drugs that affects the GI Physiology: (Affects the gastric acid secretion)

• Antacids

1. – protects and becomes a barrier against the strong acidic hydrochloric acid of the stomach, through buffer system.
2. – Neutralizes the acid in the stomach.
3. – Such as Maalox, Magnesium Hydroxide, Mylanta, Sodium Bicarbonate, Aluminum salts.
4. – Side effects can include constipation, diarrhea and belching
5. – Given after meals

• Proton Pump Inhibitor

1. –  Blocks the “Hydrogen Ion” mechanism in the “parietal cells” of the stomach, causing (total) blockage of HCL excretion.
2. – Medications includes: Prevacid, Prilosex, Nexium, Protonix, Aciphex, Sucralfate (Carafete).
3. Used for maintenance of GERD and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

• H2 Receptor (Blocker/Antagonists)

1. – In the stomach, it can decrease and reduce the HCL secretion
2. – Medications includes: Ranitidine (Zantac), Cimetedine (Tagament), Pepsin and Axid.
3. – Targets the “parietal cells” and blocks the receptors, disrupting the production of acid.
4. – Take at least an hour or two before taking atacids.