Gastrointestinal agents

Evaluation of a pharmacist-led virtual thiopurine clinic

This study at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust aimed to determine the clinical impact of a pharmacist-led virtual thiopurine clinic on drug monitoring, safety and quality of service in a cohort of inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune hepatitis patients.…

Medicines regulator introduces age restrictions on OTC laxatives following safety review

Over-the-counter laxatives for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years can now only be supplied under the supervision of a pharmacist, following the results of a review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.…

Medicines regulator to publish review into safety of OTC laxatives

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is to publish the results of a four-year review into the safety of over-the-counter stimulant laxatives, a spokesperson has confirmed.…

Potential interaction between diuretics and laxatives found

Researchers have identified a plausible drug–drug interaction between laxatives and non-potassium-sparing diuretics.…

Management of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding

An overview of the assessment process for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the hospital setting and the treatment options available.…

Study finds no support for link between Alzheimer’s disease and PPIs

Researchers conclude that there is no clinically meaningful association between PPI use and risk of Alzheimer’s disease.…

Living in a microbial world

I contain multitudes: the microbes within us and a grander view of life, by Ed Yong.…

How gut bacteria affect our overall health and wellbeing

The clever guts diet: how to revolutionise your body from the inside out, by Michael Mosley…

Aspirin and PPIs should be co-prescribed in older patients because of bleeding risk, say researchers

Patients aged over 75 years who take aspirin-based antiplatelet therapy should be co-prescribed proton-pump inhibitors because of an under-recognised risk of disabling gastrointestinal bleeding, reports a Lancet study.…

Changing eating habits to reduce gastro-oesophageal reflux disease symptoms

The acid watcher diet: a 28-day reflux prevention and healing programme, by Jonathan Aviv…