[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › Gastrointestinal

# Gastrointestinal

53 drugs

## 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (setrons)

- [**About this section** Antiemetics that block serotonin's 5-HT3 receptor on gut nerves and in the brainstem. First line for…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/5-ht3-receptor-antagonists/)
- [**Granisetron** Serotonin 5-HT3A receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/granisetron/)
- [**Ondansetron** Serotonin 5-HT3A receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ondansetron/)
- [**Palonosetron** Serotonin 5-HT3A receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/palonosetron/)

## 5-HT4 receptor agonist prokinetics

- [**About this section** Drugs that stimulate serotonin 5-HT4 receptors in the gut wall to release acetylcholine and push stool…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/5-ht4-receptor-agonist-prokinetics/)
- [**Prucalopride** Serotonin 5-HT4 receptor on enteric neurons](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/prucalopride/)

## Aminosalicylates (5-ASA)

- [**About this section** Anti-inflammatory medicines that deliver 5-aminosalicylic acid to the inflamed bowel. A base treatment for…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/aminosalicylates/)
- [**Balsalazide** Local anti-inflammatory action of mesalazine on the colonic mucosa (cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase products)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/balsalazide/)
- [**Mesalazine** Colonic mucosa (local anti-inflammatory action)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/mesalazine/)
- [**Olsalazine** Local anti-inflammatory action of mesalazine on the colonic mucosa](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/olsalazine/)
- [**Sulfasalazine** Colonic mucosa (5-ASA) and immune cells (anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/sulfasalazine/)

## Antacids

- [**About this section** Bases that neutralise acid already in the stomach. They relieve heartburn quickly but have been replaced by…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antacids/)
- [**Aluminium hydroxide** Gastric acid (H⁺) in the stomach lumen](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/aluminium-hydroxide/)
- [**Calcium carbonate** Gastric acid (H⁺) in the stomach lumen](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/calcium-carbonate/)
- [**Magnesium hydroxide** Gastric acid (H⁺) in the stomach lumen; water in the bowel](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/magnesium-hydroxide/)
- [**Simethicone** Surface tension of gas bubbles in the gut (no receptor)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/simethicone/)

## Antidiarrhoeals

- [**About this section** Medicines that slow the gut or reduce intestinal secretion to control diarrhoea. They never replace fluids…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antidiarrhoeals/)
- [**Diphenoxylate and atropine** μ-opioid receptors of the gut wall](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/diphenoxylate-and-atropine/)
- [**Loperamide** μ-opioid receptor of the myenteric plexus](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/loperamide/)

## Antimuscarinics (anticholinergics)

- [**About this section** Drugs that block acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors: they dry secretions, speed the heart, relax the gut…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antimuscarinics/)
- [**Atropine** Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1 to M5)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/atropine/)
- [**Dicycloverine** Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors of gut smooth muscle](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/dicycloverine/)
- [**Glycopyrronium** Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1 to M5)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/glycopyrronium/)
- [**Hyoscine butylbromide** Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors of smooth muscle (mainly M3)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/hyoscine-butylbromide/)
- [**Hyoscine hydrobromide (scopolamine)** Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1 to M5)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/hyoscine-hydrobromide/)

## Bile acids

- [**About this section** Bile acids given as medicines to change the make-up of bile: they dissolve some cholesterol gallstones and…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/bile-acids/)
- [**Obeticholic acid** Farnesoid X receptor (FXR, bile acid receptor)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/obeticholic-acid/)
- [**Ursodeoxycholic acid** Bile composition (cholesterol saturation and bile acid pool)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ursodeoxycholic-acid/)

## Cannabinoids (medical antiemetics and appetite stimulants)

- [**About this section** Synthetic THC and related drugs that act on cannabinoid receptors. Reserved for chemotherapy vomiting that…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/cannabinoids/)
- [**Dronabinol** Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/dronabinol/)
- [**Nabilone** Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/nabilone/)

## Dopamine-antagonist antiemetics and prokinetics

- [**About this section** Drugs that block dopamine D2 receptors in the vomiting centre and, some of them, speed up the stomach…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/dopamine-antagonist-antiemetics-and-prokinetics/)
- [**Domperidone** Dopamine D2 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/domperidone/)
- [**Droperidol** Dopamine D2 receptor (chemoreceptor trigger zone)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/droperidol/)
- [**Metoclopramide** Dopamine D2 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/metoclopramide/)
- [**Prochlorperazine** Dopamine D2 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/prochlorperazine/)

## Drugs for irritable bowel syndrome

- [**About this section** Gut-targeted drugs for IBS with diarrhoea: a 5-HT3 blocker (alosetron) and a mixed opioid-receptor drug…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/drugs-for-irritable-bowel-syndrome/)
- [**Alosetron** 5-HT3 receptor (ligand-gated cation channel) on enteric neurons](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/alosetron/)
- [**Eluxadoline** Mu and kappa opioid receptors (agonist), delta opioid receptor (antagonist) in the gut](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/eluxadoline/)

## GLP-2 analogues

- [**About this section** Injected versions of the gut hormone GLP-2 that make the intestinal lining grow, so a short bowel absorbs…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/glp-2-analogues/)
- [**Teduglutide** Glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor (GLP-2R)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/teduglutide/)

## H2 receptor antagonists (H2 blockers)

- [**About this section** Acid reducers that block histamine at the parietal cell's H2 receptor. Weaker than PPIs; ranitidine was…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/h2-receptor-antagonists/)
- [**Cimetidine** Histamine H2 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/cimetidine/)
- [**Famotidine** Histamine H2 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/famotidine/)

## Laxatives

- [**About this section** Medicines that soften stool or speed up the bowel. They work by drawing in water, coating stool, stimulating…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/laxatives/)
- [**Alvimopan** Mu-opioid receptor in the gut (peripheral antagonist)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/alvimopan/)
- [**Bisacodyl** Enteric nervous system and colonic mucosa](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/bisacodyl/)
- [**Docusate sodium** Stool surface (surfactant action) and intestinal mucosa](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/docusate-sodium/)
- [**Lactulose** Colonic contents (osmotic effect and ammonia trapping by colonic bacteria)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/lactulose/)
- [**Linaclotide** Guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) on the luminal surface of intestinal cells](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/linaclotide/)
- [**Lubiprostone** ClC-2 chloride channel on the apical membrane of intestinal cells](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/lubiprostone/)
- [**Macrogol (polyethylene glycol)** Colonic lumen (osmotic water retention)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/macrogol/)
- [**Methylnaltrexone** μ-opioid receptors of the gut (peripheral)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/methylnaltrexone/)
- [**Naloxegol** Mu-opioid receptor in the gut (peripherally restricted antagonist)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/naloxegol/)
- [**Plecanatide** Guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) on intestinal epithelium](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/plecanatide/)
- [**Senna** Colonic mucosa and enteric nervous system](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/senna/)

## Mucosal protectants (sucralfate and bismuth)

- [**About this section** Drugs that coat or protect the stomach lining instead of lowering acid. Sucralfate seals ulcers; bismuth…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/mucosal-protectants/)
- [**Bismuth subsalicylate** Gut mucosa and microbes (local action)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/bismuth-subsalicylate/)
- [**Sucralfate** Proteins of the ulcer base (local physical barrier)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/sucralfate/)

## NK1 receptor antagonists

- [**About this section** Antiemetics that block substance P at brain NK1 receptors. Added to a setron and dexamethasone, they prevent…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/nk1-receptor-antagonists/)
- [**Aprepitant** Tachykinin receptor 1 (NK1, substance P receptor)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/aprepitant/)
- [**Fosaprepitant** Tachykinin receptor 1 (NK1, substance P receptor)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/fosaprepitant/)
- [**Netupitant and palonosetron** Neurokinin-1 (substance P) receptor, plus the 5-HT3 receptor (palonosetron)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/netupitant-and-palonosetron/)

## Potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs)

- [**About this section** Acid blockers that bind the proton pump at its potassium site, reversibly and without needing acid…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/potassium-competitive-acid-blockers/)
- [**Vonoprazan** Gastric H+/K+-ATPase (proton pump), potassium-binding site](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/vonoprazan/)

## Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)

- [**About this section** The strongest acid reducers: they switch off the stomach's acid pump itself, so they work whatever triggers…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/proton-pump-inhibitors/)
- [**Esomeprazole** Gastric H⁺/K⁺-ATPase (proton pump), α subunit](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/esomeprazole/)
- [**Lansoprazole** Gastric H⁺/K⁺-ATPase (proton pump), α subunit](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/lansoprazole/)
- [**Omeprazole** Gastric H⁺/K⁺-ATPase (proton pump), α subunit](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/omeprazole/)
- [**Pantoprazole** Gastric H⁺/K⁺-ATPase (proton pump), α subunit](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/pantoprazole/)

## A to Z

- [A](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/a/)
- [B](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/b/)
- [C](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/c/)
- [D](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/d/)
- [E](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/e/)
- [F](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/f/)
- [G](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/g/)
- [H](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/h/)
- [I](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/i/)
- [K](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/k/)
- [L](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/l/)
- [M](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/m/)
- [N](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/n/)
- [O](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/o/)
- [P](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/p/)
- [Q](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/q/)
- [R](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/r/)
- [S](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/s/)
- [T](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/t/)
- [U](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/u/)
- [V](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/v/)
- [W](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/w/)
- [X](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/x/)
- [Y](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/y/)
- [Z](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/z/)

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Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/areas/gastrointestinal/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/areas/gastrointestinal/