Authors: Leong, Rupert WL¹; Chan, Francis KL²

Source: Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, Volume 5, Number 4, July 2006 , pp. 585-592(8)

Publisher: Informa Healthcare

Abstract:

With the ever-growing armamentarium of pharmacological agents, the gastrointestinal drug-induced side effects of dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation are increasingly seen. They are often self-limiting and without serious sequelae, but of greater concern is drug-induced mucosal ulceration that can manifest as gastrointestinal haemorrhage, stricture and perforation. These complications are mainly attributable to NSAIDs and aspirin, which can injure the mucosa anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract. These iatrogenic serious side effects can be reduced with co-prescription of a proton pump inhibitor, substitution of a COX-2 inhibitor and eradication of Helicobacter pylori when the bacterium is present. Other recognised gastrointestinal complications include small intestinal diaphragm, microscopic colitis, a range of hepatotoxic effects and pancreatitis. The introduction of new classes of drugs has resulted in new adverse effects that require consideration in patients presenting with gastroenterological symptoms. These include pill oesophagitis from bisphosphonates and ischaemic colitis relating to serotonin antagonists. Here, the authors review the literature on drug-induced complications of the gastrointestinal tract and present the pertinent management issues relevant to clinical practice.

Keywords: aspirin; diaphragm; haemorrhage; NSAID; oesophagitis; perforation; ulcer

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1517/14740338.5.4.585

Affiliations: 1: 1Senior Lecturer, The University of New South Wales, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, Eldridge Road, Bankstown, NSW 2200, Sydney, Australia., Email: rupertleong@hotmail.com 2: 2Professor of Medicine, Assistant Dean (General Affairs), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, Prince of Wales Hospital, 30 - 32 Ngan Shing Street, Shatin, Hong Kong

Publication date: 2006-07-01

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