Pharmacological remedies for gastric disorders

Gastric disorders occur spontaneously and as a side effect of anaesthesia or surgery. In the case of anaesthesia, the use of opioids is the common causative factor. The most commonly used drug treatments are anti-emetics, drugs reducing gastric acidity, and prokinetic agents. Drugs reducing gastric acidity range from simple antacids to a range of receptor antagonists (e.g. muscarinic, histamine H2, CCK-B) which reduce gastric secretion. Functional dyspepsia or pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen has multifactorial causes and patients can be divided into subgroups according to their response to drugs. Most gastrointestinal infections are viral, but Helicobacter pylori is associated with gastric ulcers and antibiotics may be required to eliminate it.