Digestive Health

Articles

Nexium 24HR
Treatment

Nexium 24HR

Nexium 24HR, also known by the active ingredient esomeprazole, treats heartburn and stomach ulcers. It works by reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. It is also used to protect your stomach lining from medications like anti-inflammatories and steroids. Esomeprazole can come in many different formulations; however, tablets are the most common.

Imodium
Treatment

Imodium

Imodium is a branded version of the medication loperamide, which is used to treat diarrhea. Loperamide works by slowing down the natural muscle contractions (peristalsis) that occur in the intestines. This, in turn, gives your body more time to absorb fluid and electrolytes. Imodium can come in different formulations, such as caplets, softgels, and liquids. The "multi-symptom relief" versions also contain the medication simethicone, which helps relieve trapped gas.

IBS products in pregnancy
Treatment

IBS products in pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a tough time for the digestive tract – the hormonal changes and increased pressure on the bowels from your growing baby puts you at higher risk of constipation, loose stools, abdominal pain and increased bloating. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may make this more pronounced. Mild symptoms will not put you or your growing baby at increased risk, but it may feel uncomfortable. As always, you should take care to avoid any food you know brings on IBS symptoms. Keeping well-hydrated is key, and gentle exercise can help regulate bowel movements and reduce stress. If you feel you need medication, there are options. One of our pharmacists will go through what’s safe. Pregnancy is a time of great change, and anxiety plays a part for most women. IBS sufferers will know that stress and anxiety can make IBS symptoms worse. So, it’s important to keep yourself calm. Think of techniques that have helped in the past and start them before any flare-up. Or consider putting aside 20 minutes a day for something you find relaxing – reading, music, gentle yoga or putting a mindfulness podcast on.

Movicol (macrogol)
Treatment

Movicol (macrogol)

Movicol is an over-the-counter sachet used to treat constipation. This is for short-term or long-term relief of any severity of constipation, from mild to moderate to severe. The main active ingredient is macrogol 3350, as well as sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and potassium chloride, which all play a part in the medication’s mode of action. It comes in several flavors and is sugar-free. It comes as sachets that you mix with water or a flavored drink, and doses can be adjusted as needed. Movicol is a brand name for the generic name of macrogol.

Milk of Magnesia: antacid and laxative
Treatment

Milk of Magnesia: antacid and laxative

Milk of Magnesia is a well-known remedy that has been around since 1873. It is also known as Phillips’ Milk of Magnesia because it was developed by an English pharmacist named Charles H. Phillips. It is a popular medicine that is used to relieve indigestion, and it also is an effective laxative for treating constipation. The name Milk of Magnesia is used because the product comes as a white liquid that resembles milk and it contains magnesium (in the form of magnesium hydroxide).

Stomach pain relief
Treatment

Stomach pain relief

Stomach pain can be uncomfortable and maybe even frightening. Luckily stomach pain has some common causes, is usually self-limiting, and in many cases, can be self-treated at home. Firstly, it is important to rule out causes for concern. Suppose you are suffering from severe debilitating pain or experiencing any other serious symptoms such as large volumes of blood in your vomit, fever, or unable to stay hydrated. In that case, you should seek advice from your doctor.

Mebendazole
Treatment

Mebendazole

Helminths are parasitic worms that can cause gut infection, and mebendazole is an anthelmintic medicine designed to kill them. It’s available by prescription for adults and children to treat threadworm (pinworm), which causes an intense itch around the anus, especially in children under 10 years old. Mebendazole can also be used to treat other parasitic worm infections such as roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm. These infest the gut and are usually picked up from travel to certain countries.

Omeprazole
Treatment

Omeprazole

Omeprazole is a medication used for the treatment of heartburn and stomach ulcers. It may also be used to protect your stomach when taking medications that can increase your chance of stomach ulcers, such as steroids (prednisolone, dexamethasone) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac. Omeprazole can come in many different formulations; however, tablets are the most common and can be purchased from a pharmacy, as well as shops and supermarkets. Other similar products from the same family of medications include esomeprazole and lansoprazole.

Maalox: antacid treatment for indigestion
Treatment

Maalox: antacid treatment for indigestion

Maalox is a widely used antacid medication specifically formulated to address the discomfort of indigestion. This oral suspension is readily available without the need for a prescription, making it accessible for individuals aged twelve and above. The active antacid components in Maalox consist of aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide. For individuals seeking enhanced relief, Maalox Plus offers a similar product with the addition of simethicone. This oral suspension combines the effectiveness of aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone to alleviate symptoms related to trapped gas.

Loperamide
Treatment

Loperamide

Loperamide is a medication used to treat diarrhea, and is commonly found as the branded version Imodium. Loperamide works by slowing down the natural muscle contractions (peristalsis) that occur in the intestines. This, in turn, gives your body more time to absorb fluid and electrolytes. Loperamide can come in different formulations, such as capsules, softgels, and liquid. The "multi-symptom relief" version of Imodium also contains the medication simethicone, which helps relieve trapped gas.

Laxatives: a comprehensive guide to effective constipation relief
Treatment

Laxatives: a comprehensive guide to effective constipation relief

Laxatives play a vital role in the treatment of constipation, a common gastrointestinal condition characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty passing stools. As a pharmacist, I present a guide to help you understand the various types of laxatives, their mechanisms of action, recommended usage, precautions, and potential side effects, especially for children and during pregnancy, as these situations can be most challenging. By providing reliable information from trusted sources, this guide aims to empower you with knowledge for informed decision-making about laxative use.

Lactulose
Treatment

Lactulose

Lactulose is an oral solution used to treat constipation on prescription only. It comes as a sugar-like syrup and is suitable for adults and children.

Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...Loading...