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of Consumer Guide, the Editors. "How to Cope with Medication Side Effects." 02 March 2006. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/how-to-cope-with-medication-side-effects.htm> 17 May 2008.
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Gastrointestinal System Side Effects
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Gastrointestinal System Side Effects
The gastrointestinal system includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum. Almost any medication has the potential to cause a side effect involving some part of the gastrointestinal system. Many medications produce diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, mouth sores, difficulty swallowing, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, or abnormal cramping. Other drugs cause bloating and gas, and some cause rectal itching.
Diarrhea can be expected after taking many medications, but in most cases it is temporary and self-limiting; that is, the diarrhea should stop within three days. During this time, do not take any diarrhea remedy (even over-the-counter or herbal ones), and drink plenty of liquids to replace the fluid you are losing. If the diarrhea lasts more than three days or is accompanied by fever, call your doctor.
In some cases, diarrhea signals a problem. For example, some antibiotics can cause severe diarrhea. When diarrhea is severe -- it lasts more than three days or the stools contain blood, pus, or mucus -- the intestine may become ulcerated and begin to bleed. If severe diarrhea develops while you are taking an antibiotic or shortly after you complete a course of antibiotic therapy, contact your doctor.
As a side effect of drug use, constipation is more common but less serious than diarrhea. It occurs when a drug slows down the activity of the bowel. Medications such as amitriptyline and chlorpromazine have this effect.
Constipation also develops when drugs cause moisture to be absorbed from the bowel, resulting in a more solid stool. Constipation also may arise if a drug acts on the nervous system to decrease nerve impulses to the intestine -- an effect produced, for example, by methyldopa. Constipation caused by a drug can last for several days.
You may help relieve constipation by drinking eight to ten glasses of water a day, including more fiber in your diet, and getting plenty of exercise (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). Do not take laxatives unless your doctor directs you to do so. If constipation continues for more than three days, call your doctor.
Some medications can cause drowsiness or excitation. Turn to the next section to learn more about these and other potential side effects on the nervous system.
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Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:
of Consumer Guide, the Editors. "How to Cope with Medication Side Effects." 02 March 2006. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://health.howstuffworks.com/how-to-cope-with-medication-side-effects.htm> 17 May 2008.
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