Gastrointestinal tract diarrhea

A not uncommon side effect observed with morphine and some of the other narcotic analgesics is constipation due to decreased motility of the gastrointestinal tract. It proved possible to so modify pethidine as to retain the side effect at the expense of analgesic activity. Relief of diarrhea, it will be realized, is a far from trivial indication. Alkylation of the anion from diphenylacetonitrile (95) with ethylene dibromide gives the intermediate, 96. Alkylation of normeperidine (81) with that halide... 

As with all drugs, the specific side effects of the quinolones must be considered when they are chosen for treatment of bacterial infections [5]. Reactions of the gastrointestinal tract and the central neivous system are the most often observed adverse effects during therapy with quinolones. It should be underlined, however, that compared with many other antimicrobials, diarrhea is less frequently observed during quinolone treatment. Antibiotic-associated colitis has been observed rarely during quinolone therapy. Similarly, hypersensitivity reactions, as observed during therapy with penicillins and other (3-lactams, is less frequently caused by quinolones. Some other risks of quinolone therapy have been defined and must be considered if a drug from this class is chosen for treatment of bacterial infections. 

DIARRHEA Diarrhea may be an indication of a super-infection of the gastrointestinal tract or pseudomembranous colitis. The nurse inspects all stools and notifies the primary health care provider if diarrhea occurs because it may be necessary to stop the drug. If diarrhea does occur and there appears to be blood and mucus in the stool, it is important to save a sample of the stool and test for occult blood using a test such as Hemoccult. If the stool tests positive for blood, the nurse saves the sample for possible further laboratory analysis. 

The most common adverse reactions seen with this drug are related to the gastrointestinal tract and may include nausea, anorexia, and occasionally vomiting and diarrhea The most serious adverse reactions are associated widi die CNS and include seizures and numbness of die extremities. Hypersensitivity reactions also may be seen. Thrombophlebitis may occur widi intravenous (IV) use of die drug. 

Gastrointestinal tract—nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, epigastric pain, indigestion, abdominal distress or discomfort, intestinal ulceration, stomatitis, jaundice, bloating, anorexia, and dry mouth... 

Very large doses can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and prostration. Dehydration and congestion occur in most internal organs. Hypertonic solutions can produce violent inflammatory reactions in the gastrointestinal tract. 

Once an acute diarrheal situation ensues, patients typically eat less as they become focused on the diarrhea. Both children and adults should attempt to maintain nutritional intake. Food provides not only nutrients but also fluid volume that helps replace what is lost. However, food-related fluid may not be enough to compensate for diarrheal losses. Some foods may be inappropriate if they irritate the gastrointestinal tract or if they are implicated as the cause of the diarrhea. Patients with chronic diarrhea may find that increasing bulk in the diet may help (e.g., rice, bananas, whole-wheat, and bran). 

Adverse Effects The most common adverse effects are gastrointestinal upset, tremor, and polyuria,30 which are dose-related. Nausea, dyspepsia, and diarrhea can be minimized by coadministration with food, use of sustained-release formulations, and giving smaller doses more frequently to reduce the amount of drug in the gastrointestinal tract at a given time. Tremor is present in up to 50% of patients. In addition to the approaches above, low-dose P-blocker therapy such as propranolol 20 to 60 mg/day often reduces the tremor. 

Gastroenteritis Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. 

Interest in the possible connection between intake of fat and absorption of calcium was generated by the concurrent massive losses of calcium in patients with steatorrhea, fatty diarrhea (46, 47). Ordinarily, however, fat is very efficiently absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Results of several studies in human adults and children indicate little or no effect of level of dietary fat on absorption of calcium (48-54). However, influence of level of dietary fat on calcium absorption in rat studies has produced conflicting results (55-57). 

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