[Common gastrointestinal symptoms and their effective and safe treatment]

The pharmacist is an important specialist in the selection of the drug when the patient comes for pharmacist's advice of how to alleviate common gastrointestinal symptoms. Of all drugs which can be effective in these situations, only three drugs (bismuth subsalicylate, psyllium, and docusate sodium) proved to be advantageous for self-medication. Bismuth subsalicylate (BSS) is much appreciated in the treatment of peptic ulcers where it not only covers the base of the ulcer but also eradicates Helicobacter pylori. Therefore this drug does not treat only the symptoms but the cause of the disease as well. Dyspepsia may also be effectively treated with BSS because of its strong and rapid protective effect on the gastric mucosa. Last but not least, the salicylate component of this substance and not bismuth alone is responsible for the elimination of diarrhoea in the so-called traveller's diarrhoea, as the salicylate decreases enhanced secretion of fluid in the colon. On the other hand, the natural fibre psyllium may effectively alleviate constipation, because it increases the volume and weight of stools as well as the transit time in the colon and facilitates defecation. Similarly, docusate sodium is a detergent agent which facilitates the entrance of water into the stool, which is then better and more easily pushed out from the large intestine.