MORE VIDEOS
Explore more

Digestive (GI) Medicines

Medicines for the stomach and gut: acid reducers, anti-nausea medicines, laxatives, anti-diarrhoeal medicines and treatments for inflammatory bowel disease.

This page lists all 35 of them in the guide. Open any medicine for its uses, common side effects, major cautions and kidney note.

MedicineBrand namesUsed for
Aluminum hydroxideAmphojelHeartburn and acid indigestion; Binding phosphate in chronic kidney disease (limited, specialist-led use)
AprepitantEmendPreventing nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy; Preventing nausea after surgery
BisacodylDulcolaxConstipation; Emptying the bowel before colonoscopy or surgery
Bismuth subsalicylatePepto-BismolDiarrhea and traveler's diarrhea; Upset stomach and indigestion
Calcium carbonateTumsHeartburn and acid indigestion; Calcium supplementation
CimetidineTagametHeartburn; Stomach and intestinal ulcers
DicyclomineBentylIrritable bowel syndrome cramps; Intestinal spasm pain
DocusateColacePreventing hard, dry stools; Reducing straining after surgery or with hemorrhoids
EsomeprazoleNexiumAcid reflux and heartburn (GERD); Stomach and intestinal ulcers
FamotidinePepcidHeartburn and acid indigestion; Acid reflux
LactuloseConstulose, EnuloseConstipation; Reducing ammonia buildup in liver failure (hepatic encephalopathy)
LansoprazolePrevacidAcid reflux and heartburn (GERD); Stomach and intestinal ulcers
LinaclotideLinzessChronic constipation; Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation
LoperamideImodiumDiarrhea, including traveler's diarrhea; Reducing output from an ileostomy
LubiprostoneAmitizaChronic constipation; Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in women
Magnesium hydroxideMilk of MagnesiaConstipation; Heartburn and acid indigestion
MeclizineAntivert, BonineMotion sickness; Vertigo and dizziness from inner ear problems
MesalamineLialda, Pentasa, AsacolUlcerative colitis; Crohn disease of the colon (some forms)
MetoclopramideReglanNausea and vomiting; Gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying in diabetes)
MisoprostolCytotecPreventing stomach ulcers in people taking NSAIDs; Inducing labor and treating postpartum bleeding (hospital)
OmeprazolePrilosecAcid reflux and heartburn (GERD); Stomach and intestinal ulcers
OndansetronZofranNausea and vomiting from chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery; Severe stomach flu and other nausea, on clinician judgment
OrlistatXenical, AlliWeight management in obesity; Weight management in overweight patients with risk factors
PancrelipaseCreon, ZenpepReplacing digestive enzymes in chronic pancreatitis; Replacing enzymes in cystic fibrosis and after pancreas surgery
PantoprazoleProtonixAcid reflux and heartburn (GERD); Stomach and intestinal ulcers
Polyethylene glycolMiraLAX, GlycoLaxConstipation; Preparing the bowel before colonoscopy (higher-volume preparations)
ProchlorperazineCompazineSevere nausea and vomiting; Migraine-associated nausea
PromethazinePhenerganNausea and vomiting; Motion sickness
PsylliumMetamucilConstipation; Mild cholesterol lowering as part of diet
RabeprazoleAciphexAcid reflux and heartburn (GERD); Stomach and intestinal ulcers
ScopolamineTransderm ScopPreventing motion sickness; Preventing nausea after surgery
SennaSenokot, Ex-LaxConstipation; Emptying the bowel before procedures
SucralfateCarafateStomach and intestinal ulcers; Preventing stress ulcers in hospital patients
SulfasalazineAzulfidineUlcerative colitis; Crohn disease
UrsodiolActigall, UrsoDissolving certain gallstones; Primary biliary cholangitis (a liver bile duct disease)
Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.