Medication and Your Digestive System

Certain medications can affect your digestive system in harmful ways. Our experts can help you determine which ones to avoid.

Certain medications can affect your digestive system in harmful ways, depending on your digestive tract’s unique sensitivities. Be careful with both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. While usually safe and effective, they may create harmful effects in some people.

Our experts can help you determine which medications to avoid. However, you must tell us about any allergies, sensitivities or other medical conditions you have before taking a new medication. If you have a food intolerance or allergy (such as gluten intolerance), be sure your medicine does not contain these substances.

Listed below are some problems related to the digestive system that can occur when taking medication:

Throat or Esophagus Irritation

If you have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules, or sometimes take medications without liquid, be careful. Tablets or capsules that stay in the throat can irritate the lining of the esophagus. Certain medications also can cause ulcers in the throat if they become lodged there. These medications may include:

• Aspirin
• Certain antibiotics
• Quinidine
• Potassium chloride
• Iron

To protect your throat:

• Stand or sit when swallowing medications
• Take several swallows of liquid before taking the medication, and swallow it with a full eight-ounce glass of liquid
• Do not lie down immediately after taking medication
• Notify your physician if you experience painful swallowing

Esophageal Reflux

Some medications interfere with the action of the muscle located between the esophagus and stomach. This can increase the chances of reflux, or backup of the stomach's acidic contents into the esophagus. Medications that may cause reflux include:

• Nitrates
• Theophylline
• Calcium channel blockers
• Anticholinergics
• Birth control pills

Stomach Irritation

One of the most common irritants to the lining of the stomach is that caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This includes drugs such as ibuprofen and other common pain relievers. It can sometimes lead to swelling or perforation of the stomach lining, ulcers or bleeding.

To prevent irritation of the stomach:

• Take coated tablets, which may reduce irritation.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages when taking these medications.
• Take medications with food, or with a full (eight-ounce) glass of milk or water.

Constipation

A variety of medications can cause constipation. They affect the nerve and muscle activity in the colon, resulting in the slow and difficult passage of stool. Medications that may cause constipation include:

• Antihypertensives
• Anticholinergics
• Cholestyramine
• Iron
• Antacids containing mostly aluminum

To prevent constipation, eat a well-balanced diet including fruits, vegetables and whole grains, drink plenty of fluids and exercise regularly.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be caused by antibiotics, which affect bacteria normally present in the large intestine. When there is an overgrowth of a certain bacteria, it may cause very loose, watery stools. The most common antibiotics to cause this type of diarrhea are:

• Ampicillin
• Clindamycin
• Cephalosporins

This problem is usually treated with another antibiotic that reduces the bacteria overgrowth. Other ways to prevent diarrhea are to avoid foods that irritate your stomach and drink plenty of fluids.

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