[Evaluation of co-administration of omperazole with H[2] blockers and antacids]

Omperazole as a very useful drug in peptic ulcer which needs to be converted to active form and its activation requires acidic environments. H[2] blockers and antacids can prevent this activation by elevation of pH in the gastrointestinal system thus diminishing omperazole effectiveness. In this study, cases of coadministration of omperazsole with H[2] blockers and antiacids has been evaluated. This descriptive study included 1200 prescriptions containing omperazole alone or in combination with other drugs at the Chamran Pharmaceutical Store of Yazd. In 599 cases, omeprazole was administered with other drugs of which 211 cases [35.3%] was with H[2] blockers and l 16 prescriptions with antiacids. Only in 55 cases [4.6%], both antiacids and H[2] blockers were administered in combination with omperazole. On the basis of previous studies and considering the physiology of acid secretion in parietal cells and pharmacological mechanism of drugs used in the treatment of peptic ulcer, coadministration of antacids and H[2] blockers with omperazole decrease its efficacy and must therefore be avoided

Assessment of colon transit time in idiopathic chronic constipation

Treatment in chronic constipation is highly dependent on colon transit time [CTT], which not only determines the cause but also determines the correct treatment policy. The aim of this study was evaluation of CTT in constipated patients. 43 patients with chronic constipation who did not respond to high fiber diet were enrolled in the study. Patients with history of drug induced constipation, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebrovascular accident, hypothyroidism, diabetis mellitus, opium addiction or previous abdominal surgery were excluded from the study. The subjects were administered 30 radio opaque markers orally [capsule form] in the morning and X. Ray was done 120 hours later. In normal patients we expect only 20% of markers [6 markers] to be retained in the colon lumen after 120 hours. Patients with more than 6 markers in colon lumen after 120 hours were defined as abnormal CTT and were classified as colon inertia or abnormal defecation according to the position of the retained markers in the colon lumen. 40 patients completed the study. 16 patients were male and 24 were female. 22[55%] patients had normal CTT. 7 patients [17.5%] had colon inertia and 3 [7.5%] had abnormal defecation, while 8 patients [20%] had both of them. No significant difference was observed between males and females. The pattern of CTT in constipated patients can be determined cost effectively