Define Drug Effects on Food Intake - gastro intestinal tract?
Affect the gastro intestinal tract: Gastrointestinal irritation and ulceration are serious problems with many drugs. You may be aware that Non-steroidal anti-inlammatory drugs (NSATDs) such as aspirin or ibuprofen often cause stomach irritation, indigestion, heartburn, gastritis, ulceration and sudden serious gastric bleeding.
Other drugs may produce gastrointestinal side effects such as bloating or early satiety. Drugs can also cause changes in bowel function that can lead to constipation or diarrhoea. Narcotic agents such as codeine and morphine cause a non-productive increase in smooth muscle tone of the intestinal muscle wall, thereby decreasing peristalsis and causing constipation. On the other hand use of certain drugs can lead to the destruction of intestinal bacteria leading to diarrhoea.