Monitoring - GI Drugs

Question 1

Are there any monitoring requirements for laxatives?

Answer 1

No

Question 2

Monitoring for PPI?

Answer 2

Serum Magnesium concentrations

Before and during prolonged treatment esp if used with drugs causing hypomagnesaemia

Question 3

Monitoring for Domperidone (Dopamine Antagonist)?

Answer 3

ECG prior to administration if cardiac concerns

Question 4

Monitoring for H1 receptor antagonists or 5Ht3 receptor antagonists?

Answer 4

None

Question 5

Patient/Carer advice for B.F.L?

Answer 5

Full effect may take some days to develop

Preps that swell with liquid should be carefully swallowed with water - don’t take just before going to bed

Question 6

Patient/Carer advice for osmotic laxatives?

Answer 6

Lactulose may take up to 48 hours to have an effect

Question 7

Patient/Carer advice for stimulant laxatives?

Answer 7

Consider onset of action time
8-12 hours for senna
10-12 hours for Bisacodyl
Suppositories - 20-60 minutes

Question 8

Patient/carer advice for PPI?

Answer 8

None

Question 9

Patient/carer advice for Droperidol?

Answer 9

Driving skilled tasks/alcohol

Photosensitisation in high doses

Question 10

Monitoring for Droperidol?

Answer 10

Prolactin at start, after 6 months then annually

Question 11

Patient/carer advice for H1 Receptor Antagonists?

Answer 11

Drowsiness affecting driving

Alcohol effects enhanced