Gastrointestinal tract local irritation

Swallowing. If it is sufficiently irritant or caustic, a swallowed material may cause local effects on the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach. Additionally, carcinogenic materials may induce tumor formation in the alimentary tract. Also, the gastrointestinal tract is an important route by which toxic materials are absorbed. The sites of absorption and factors regulating absorption have been reviewed (42,43). 

A large fraction of such a material may quickly pass through the gastrointestinal tract and remain unabsorbed. Local irritation by a test substance generally decreases when the material is diluted. If the objective of the study is to establish systemic toxicity, the test substance should be administered in a constant volume to minimize gastrointestinal irritation that may, in turn, affect its absorption. If, however, the objective is to assess the irritation potential of the test substance, then it should be administered undiluted. 

During the period from 1983 to 1991 there has been a continual decline in the use of syrup of ipecac to induce emesis. Ipecac contains a number of plant alkaloids including emetine. It induces emesis through stimulation of the chemoreceptor trigger zone in the brain and local irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. The latency period for... 

Bioavailability from Environmental Media. No studies were located regarding the bioavailability of acrolein from environmental media. Since acrolein has been detected in ambient air and in food and beverages (ppb levels), it is important to determine if acrolein can be absorbed by humans from environmental samples. However, the chemical structure of acrolein makes it a highly reactive molecule, which presumably is why its effects are, for the most part, restricted to the area of exposure (i.e., respiratory system for inhalation exposure or localized skin damage for dermal exposure). The limited information available regarding absorption parameters of acrolein in experimental animals indicates that acrolein is easily retained in the respiratory airways however, virtually no information is available regarding absorption by the gastrointestinal tract or skin. Therefore, based on the data available, it is likely that inhalation of contaminated air will result in irritation of the eyes and respiratory tract. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poisons by ingestion and inhalation. Powerful irritants. Oxalates are corrosive to tissue and produce local irritation. When ingested they have a caustic effect on the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. The soluble oxalates are readily absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and can cause severe damage to the kidneys. Oxalates are common components of poisonous plants. When heated to decomposition they emit toxic and irritating fumes. See also OXALIC ACID. 

When large amounts are taken, e.g. (unreliably) to induce abortion or in attempted suicide, ocular disturbances, notably constriction of the visual fields, may occur and even complete blindness, the onset of which may be very sudden. Vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea result from local irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. Quinidine-like effects include hypotension, disturbance of atrioventricular conduction and cardiac arrest. Activated charcoal should be given. Supportive measures are employed thereafter as no specific therapy has proven benefit. 

Osmosin, a formulation that contains potassium bicarbonate and releases indometacin osmoticaUy, was withdrawn because of reports of intestinal irritation, bleeding, perforation, and even death. These adverse effects were most probably caused by the very high local concentrations of indometacin and potassium in the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract produced by the tablet, which shifted the adverse reactions from the stomach to the intestine (SEDA-8,103) (26). 

In many patients, the local irritant action of quinidine sulfate in the gastrointestinal tract cau.ses pain, nausea, vomiting. and especially diarrhea, often precluding oral use in adequate doses. Studies with the polygalacturonate salt yielded no evidence of ga.strointestinal distress. It is available as 27.S-mg tablets. Each tablet is the equivalent of 200 mg of quinidine sulfate or 166 mg of free alkaloid. 

Chronic oral exposure to glycerol may cause mild irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. In a 2 year study, no systemic or local effects were reported at a dose of 10 000 mg kg body weight. Inhalation of glycerol aerosols may cause irritation of the respiratory tract. 

Oxalic acid exposure typically produces immediate irritation and local effects on the skin, eyes, and mucosal membranes of the gastrointestinal tract (if ingested) or respiratory tract (if inhaled). Slightly delayed effects may occur on the respiratory system and kidneys. 

Salicylic acid (1) is not employed internally as an analgesic due to its local irritating effect on the gastrointestinal tract. It is employed externally on the skin, where it exerts a slight antiseptic action and a marked keratolytic action. The latter property makes salicylic acid a beneficial agent in the local treatment of warts, corns, fungous infections, and certain forms of eczematoid dermatitis. Tissues cells swell, softer, and ultimately desquamate. Salicylic acid is applied as a 2 to 20% concentration in collodion, lotions, or ointments, and as a 10 to 40% concentration in plasters. Salicylic acid plaster is used for the destructive effect of salicylic acid on hardened, keratinized tissue. The so-called corn plaster are typical. 

The most common sites for bleeding are the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, as well as soft tissues. Bruising at the site of injection is common. Local irritation, mild pain, erythema, histamine-hke... 

---