The following glossary is a guide to medicines used to treat many medical conditions. The glossary does not include all medicines that may affect the digestive system. If a medicine you are taking is not listed here, check with your doctor.
| Acetaminophen | Antacids | Antibiotics | Anticholinergics | Anticonvulsants | Antihypertensives | Antituberculins | Calcium channel blockers | Chlorpromazine | Colchicine | Iron | Laxatives | Nitrates | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | Potassium chloride | Quinidine | Theophylline | Vitamins |
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen relieves fever and pain by blocking pain centers in the central nervous system.
Examples of brand names include Tylenol, Panadol, and Datril.
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Antacids
Antacids relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, sour stomach, and symptoms of peptic ulcer. They work by neutralizing stomach acid.
Aluminum hydroxide antacids include Alu-Tab and Amphojel; calcium carbonate antacids include Tums, Alka Mints, and Rolaids Calcium Rich; magnesium antacids include Mylanta and Maalox.
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Antibiotics
Antibiotics destroy or block the growth of bacteria that cause infection.
Hundreds of antibiotics are available, including penicillins (Amoxil, Amcil, and Augmentin), clindamycin, cephalosporins (Keflex and Ceclor), tetracyclines (Minocin, Sumycin, and Vibramycin), quinolones (Cipro), and sulfa drugs (Bactrim).
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Anticholinergics
This class of medicines affects the nerve cells or nerve fibers and includes drugs for depression, anxiety, and nervousness.
Examples of anticholinergics include propantheline (Pro-banthine) and dicyclomine (Bentyl). Examples of antidepressants include amitriptyline (Elavil and Endep), and nortriptyline (Aventyl and Pamelor).
Medicines for relieving the symptoms of Parkinson's disease also are in this category. Examples include levodopa (Dopar) and carbidopa and levodopa combination (Sinemet).
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Anticonvulsants
These medicines control epilepsy and other types of seizure disorders. They act by lessening overactive nerve impulses in the brain.
Examples of this class of medicines include phenytoin (Dilantin) and valproic acid (Dalpro).
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Antihypertensives
Antihypertensives lower high blood pressure. They act by relaxing blood vessels, which makes blood flow more easily.
Examples of antihypertensives include methyldopa (Aldomet) and clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres).
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Antituberculins
These drugs for tuberculosis limit the growth of bacteria or prevent tuberculosis from developing in people who have a positive tuberculin skin test.
Brand names include INH, Dow-Isoniazid, Rifadin, and Rimactane.
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Calcium channel blockers
These medicines for angina (chest pain) and high blood pressure affect the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels, relax blood vessels, and increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart.
Examples of calcium channel blockers include diltiazem (Cardizem), nifedipine (Procardia), and verpamil (Isoptin).
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Chlorpromazine
This tranquilizer relieves anxiety or agitation.
Examples of brand names include Thorazine and Ormazine.
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Colchicine
This medicine eases the inflammation from gout and prevents attacks from recurring.
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Iron
Iron is a mineral the body needs to produce red blood cells. Iron supplements are used to treat iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia.
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Laxatives
Many forms of laxatives are available for relieving constipation.
Common brand names of laxatives include Phillips' Milk of Magnesia, Citroma, Epsom salts, Correctol, and ExLax.
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Nitrates
These drugs for angina (chest pain) relax blood vessels and increase the flow of blood to the heart.
Examples of generic and brand names include isosorbide dinitrate (Iso-Bid and Isonate) and nitroglycerin (Nitro-Bid and Nitrocap).
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
These drugs block the body's production of prostaglandins, substances that mediate pain and inflammation. NSAIDs relieve the pain from chronic and acute inflammatory conditions, including arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, and pain associated with injuries, bursitis, tendinitis, and dental problems. NSAIDs also relieve pain associated with noninflammatory conditions.
Generic and brand names of NSAIDs include aspirin (Bayer and Bufferin), ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, and Motrin), tometin (Tolectin), naproxen (Naprosyn), and piroxicam (Feldene).
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Potassium chloride
Potassium is a vital element in the body. Potassium supplements help prevent and treat potassium deficiency in people taking diuretics.
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Quinidine
This medicine often is used to correct irregular heartbeat.
Brand names of quinidine include Quinalan and Quiniglute.
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Theophylline
This medicine eases breathing difficulties associated with emphysema, bronchitis, and bronchial asthma. The medicine works by relaxing the muscles of the respiratory tract, which allows an easier flow of air into the lungs.
Examples of brand names include Theo-Dur, Theophyl, and Bronkodyl.
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Vitamins
Vitamins serve as nutritional supplements in people with poor diets, in people recovering from surgery, or in people with special health problems.
- Niacin helps the body break down food for energy and is used to treat niacin deficiency and to lower levels of fats and cholesterol.
- Vitamin A is necessary for normal growth and for healthy eyes and skin.
- Vitamin C is necessary for healthy function of cells.
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Information taken from the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
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National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
