Week 8: Gastrointestinal Drugs and Drugs for Obesity

Be able to:

• outline the basic pathophysiology of upper GI disorders including dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease and GORD
• describe the normal physiological regulation of gastric acid secretion, including the cells, neurotransmitters, hormones, receptors and transporters involved
• explain the role of H Pylori and NSAIDs in the development of ulcer disease
• describe the mechanisms of action and common adverse effects of the main drug classes used to suppress gastric acid secretion
• identify the CNS centres, processes and neurotransmitters involved in regulation of nausea and vomiting
• describe the mechanisms of action, common adverse effects, key drug interactions and precautions for the main drug classes used to treat nausea and vomiting
• outline the use of anti-emetic drug classes in the treatment of nausea and vomiting from different causes
• describe the mechanisms of action of drugs and major adverse effects of drugs used to treat constipation and diarrhoea
• describe the mechanisms of action of major adverse effects of orlistat, phentermine, and GLP-1 analogues in the treatment of obesity.