Medicines and the Digestive System
Medicines taken by mouth can affect the digestive system in a number of ways. Both prescription and over-the-counter medicines are usually safe and work well. But they may cause harmful effects in some people. Certain medicines taken together may interact. They can cause harmful side effects. Or they may affect how well the medicines work. It is also important that your healthcare providers know about your allergies, sensitivities, and other health conditions before you start taking a new medicine.
People with food allergies, such as gluten allergy in celiac disease, must be sure medicines don't contain these substances. People with food intolerances can often have the small amounts of fillers or additives in medicines. But they should check with their healthcare providers if they have concerns.
Listed below are some problems related to the digestive system that can happen when taking medicine:
Problem | What to do |
Irritation of the esophagus | Tips to prevent irritation of the esophagus |
Some people have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules, or sometimes take medicines without liquid. Tablets or capsules that stay in the esophagus may release chemicals that can irritate the lining of the esophagus. This may cause ulcers, bleeding, perforation, and narrowing (strictures) of the esophagus. The risk for these types of injuries is higher if you have health problems involving the esophagus. Examples are:
Certain medicines can also cause ulcers in the esophagus when they become lodged there. These include aspirin, antibiotics such as doxycycline, quinidine, potassium chloride, vitamin C, and iron. |
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Esophageal reflux | Tips to prevent reflux |
Some medicines get in the way of the action of the sphincter muscle. This muscle is located between the esophagus and stomach. This muscle allows food to pass into the stomach after you swallow. This can increase the chances of reflux. Or it can back up the stomach's acidic contents into the esophagus. Classes of medicines that may increase the severity of reflux include:
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Irritation of the stomach | Tips to prevent irritation of the stomach |
One of the most common irritants to the lining of the stomach is NSAIDs. These include medicines such as ibuprofen and other common pain relievers. These medicines make it harder for the stomach lining to resist acid made in the stomach. It can sometimes lead to inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), ulcers, bleeding, or a hole (perforation) in the lining. Older adults are at greater risk for irritation from these medicines because they are more likely to take these pain relievers for chronic conditions. People with a history of peptic ulcers and gastritis are also at risk. |
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Constipation | Tips to prevent constipation |
A variety of medicines can cause constipation. This happens because these medicines affect the nerve and muscle activity in the colon (large intestine). The result is slow and difficult passage of stool. Medicines that may cause constipation include:
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Diarrhea | Tips to prevent diarrhea |
Diarrhea from medicine is most often caused by antibiotics. This is because they affect bacteria normally present in the large intestine. This should go away once you finish taking the medicine. Sometimes these changes in intestinal bacteria allow too much bacteria called C. difficile to grow. This causes more serious diarrhea. This bacteria can cause colitis, resulting in very loose, watery stools. This colitis is usually treated with another antibiotic that acts on the C. difficile. Certain medicines may also change the movements or fluid content of the colon without causing colitis. Colchicine and magnesium-containing antacids can both cause diarrhea. Talk with your healthcare provider if the diarrhea continues for several days. |
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