Drugs that protect the GI tract

The following drugs promote improved mucosal integrity and enhance regeneration of the tissue lining the GI tract.

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Sucralfates, a class of drugs made up of a sugar combined with sulfate and aluminum, act by binding to the surface of ulcers, coating and protecting the surface from further injury by acid or pepsin. The drugs also stimulate the body's production of prostaglandins, which, among other functions, foster regeneration of the tissue lining of the GI tract.

When patients strictly follow a sucralfate regimen--which requires taking the drug four times per day--the therapy has been shown to be effective in healing both duodenal and gastric ulcers. Sucralfates taken twice a day have been used to relieve or prevent ulcers in people using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Sucralfates can lead to constipation and are reported to reduce the absorption of other drugs, including some H2 blockers and the fluoroquinolone antibiotics, such as Ciprofloxacin.

Misoprostol is a synthetic prostaglandin that stimulates secretion of mucus in the gastrointestinal tract, increasing its resistance to acid. In short-term studies, misoprostol has been shown to reduce the frequency of stomach ulcers caused by NSAIDs. However, the drug is not usually prescribed because of its significant side effects, including mild to moderate diarrhea and abdominal pain. In addition, it is too costly to be used by most patients on long-term NSAID therapy for arthritis. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has required a printed warning on misoprostol-containing drugs because the substance has been shown to induce abortion, miscarriages, premature labor, birth defects, and uterine rupture in pregnant women.