Upset stomach medication
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Effective Medications for Upset Stomach: A Comprehensive Review
Introduction to Upset Stomach Medications
Upset stomach, characterized by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating, and abdominal pain, is a common ailment that can be caused by various factors including indigestion, overindulgence in food, or underlying gastrointestinal conditions. This article synthesizes research findings on various medications and treatments for upset stomach, highlighting their effectiveness and potential side effects.
Aspirin-Containing Analgesics and Gastrointestinal Disturbances
A study comparing five popular aspirin-containing analgesic preparations found that while all provided effective pain relief, two preparations containing acetophenetidin were associated with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal disturbances, including upset stomach, compared to the other preparations and placebo1. This suggests that certain ingredients in analgesics can exacerbate stomach issues, and patients should be cautious when selecting pain relief medications.
Pediatric Antacid Preparations
For children, gastrointestinal complaints are often managed with both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic interventions. A new pediatric antacid, Children's MYLANTA Upset Stomach Relief, has shown high effectiveness in treating symptoms such as acid indigestion, sour stomach, and heartburn. In a study involving 321 children, the antacid provided substantial relief within an hour of administration, with 95% of physicians and 92% of parents rating its effectiveness as "excellent" or "good"2. This preparation was also well-tolerated, with minimal side effects reported.
Traditional Chinese Medicine: Huang Qi Jian Zhong Decoction
Traditional Chinese medicine offers alternative treatments for upset stomach. Huang Qi Jian Zhong decoction has been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of gastric upset. In a study comparing this decoction to Si Jun Zi decoction, the former achieved a higher total effective rate (96.42% vs. 73.08%) in alleviating gastric upset symptoms3. This indicates that traditional herbal remedies can be effective alternatives to conventional medications.
Home Remedies and Over-the-Counter Medications
Home remedies have a long history of use for treating mild gastrointestinal disturbances. Modern home remedies often contain the same active ingredients as prescription medications but are formulated for safety and suitability for over-the-counter (OTC) use4. However, it is important to use these remedies under proper guidance to avoid potential risks associated with self-medication.
Acupressure for Nausea and Vomiting
Acupressure has been explored as a non-pharmacologic treatment for nausea and vomiting, particularly in chemotherapy patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis found that acupressure significantly reduced the severity of both acute and delayed nausea, although it did not significantly affect vomiting frequency6. This suggests that acupressure can be a useful complementary therapy for managing nausea.
Herbal Extracts: Allanblackia floribunda
Allanblackia floribunda, a plant used in African traditional medicine, has demonstrated gastroprotective effects in scientific studies. The seed extract of this plant significantly protected rats from ethanol-induced gastric ulcers by reducing gastric pH and inflammatory markers such as TNF-α and INF-γ7. This supports the traditional use of A. floribunda for treating upset stomach and highlights its potential as a natural remedy.
Drug Interactions with Kampo Medicines
Interactions between prescription drugs and OTC Kampo medicines for upset stomach have been observed. For instance, certain Kampo medicines containing metallic additives can reduce the bioavailability of levodopa, a medication used for Parkinson's disease, when taken together8. This underscores the importance of monitoring potential interactions between different medications to avoid adverse effects.
Conclusion
Managing an upset stomach involves a variety of treatment options ranging from conventional medications to traditional and complementary therapies. While aspirin-containing analgesics can cause gastrointestinal disturbances, pediatric antacids like Children's MYLANTA offer effective relief for children. Traditional remedies such as Huang Qi Jian Zhong decoction and Allanblackia floribunda extract show promise in treating gastric upset. Additionally, acupressure provides a non-pharmacologic option for nausea management. However, it is crucial to be aware of potential drug interactions, especially with OTC Kampo medicines. Patients should consult healthcare providers to choose the most appropriate and safe treatment for their symptoms.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
A comparative study of five proprietary analgesic compounds.
All five aspirin-containing analgesic preparations provided better pain relief than placebo, but acetophenetidin-containing preparations had higher incidence of gastrointestinal disturbances.
RCTTHERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT OF GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS IN CHILDREN INCLUDING PRELIMINARY EXPERIENCE WITH A NEW PEDIATRIC ANTACID PREPARATION
Children's MYLANTA Upset Stomach Relief is well-tolerated and highly effective in relieving common gastrointestinal symptoms in both young and older children.
Non-RCT
Large Human TrialClinical Observation of Using Huang Qi Jian Zhong Decoction to Treat Gastric Upset
Huang Qi Jian Zhong decoction effectively reduces gastric upset symptoms with deficiency of stomach, reaching 96.42% effective rate compared to 73.08% in the control group.
RCTHOME REMEDIES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND WESTERN EUROPE
Modern home remedies, derived from research and safety standards, are as safe and effective as prescription drugs, with their history influencing current thinking.
Effects of acupressure on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting-a systematic review with meta-analyses and trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Acupressure may have a protective effect on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, but more well-designed clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed for definitive conclusions.
Meta-Analysis
Rigorous JournalAllanblackia floribunda Seed Extract Attenuates the Ethanol-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats via the Inhibition of TNF-α and INF-γ Levels and Modulation in the Expression of Ki67 Protein
Allanblackia floribunda seed extract effectively protects rats from gastric ulceration by reducing gastric pH, TNF-, and INF- levels, and promoting ulcer healing through modulation of Ki67 protein expression.
Non-RCT
Animal StudyRigorous Journal[Possibility of interactions between prescription drugs and OTC drugs (2nd report)--interaction between levodopa preparation and OTC Kampo medicines for upset stomach].
Metallic additives in OTC Kampo medicines for upset stomach may play a crucial role in reducing the bioavailability of levodopa when combined with levodopa preparation for Parkinson's disease patients.
Non-RCTAnimal StudyEncorafenib overdose
An overdose of encorafenib caused by medication error led to chronic intoxication, causing stomach upset, bloating, and muscle pain.
Case Report