Medication-related stomach pain or upset is a common complaint.
For some people, certain prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications may have this side effect.
This is especially true if you already have a history of medications causing gastrointestinal irritation.
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Their availability and popularity are likely reasons why they are also the most common medication-related cause of stomach irritation.
NSAIDs affect the lining of the stomach, called the mucosa.
They reduce pain and inflammation by helping suppress the creation of compounds calledprostaglandins.
Prostaglandins are involved in the inflammatory process.
Without them, levels of pain and inflammation decrease.
NSAIDs disrupt the production of mucus, which leads to a weakness in the mucosa layer.
This thinning of the mucosa layer causes normal digestive enzymes to irritate or inflame the lining of the stomach.
When there is inflammation in the stomach lining, it is calledgastritis.
Some people are more at risk of developing stomach irritation after taking NSAIDs.
This includes older people or those who already have a history of stomach problems.
A history ofpeptic ulcersor gastritis is also associated with a greater risk of complications after taking NSAIDs.
Acetaminophen
Tylenol (acetaminophen) is an alternative OTC pain medication.
It is not an NSAID, so it is less likely to cause stomach irritation.
However, some research has found that people taking higher doses of Tylenol may also experience stomach problems.
Importantly, high doses of Tylenol have also been associated with liver toxicity.
All antibiotics can potentially cause stomach problems like nausea and pain.
Most of the time, these symptoms are temporary.
Typical side effects of antibiotics include nausea and diarrhea.
If your diarrhea is severe, it may be a sign ofC.
diffcan include:
Antacids
Some antacids contain aluminum hydroxide as one of the main active ingredients.
Antacids work for a short period of time, 30 to 60 minutes.
There is a potential for rebound effect after it wears off, where more stomach acid is produced.
Medications containing this drug could also lead to constipation when used long-term.
Antacids can also cause delayed gastric emptying.
This can lead to stomach problems in some people, however.
Iron pill-induced gastritis is a rare but potentially serious complication of taking an iron supplement.
It’s thought that iron supplements can oxidize in the body, causing damage to the stomach and esophagus.
Some of the drugs included in this class are tricyclic antidepressants, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, and benzodiazepines.
This category also includes the common OTC antihistamine Benadryl (diphenhydramine).
Like antacids, anticholinergics can cause delayed gastric emptying.
Some of these drugs may delay food emptying from the stomach.
The exact effects of individual drugs in this class are still under study.
it’s possible for you to also discuss this with your pharmacist when picking up a new prescription.
Symptoms may include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, or nausea and vomiting.
Some of these side effects are common, while others may be a sign of a more serious problem.
These effects can often be reduced with simple precautions, such as taking the medication with food.
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