Introduction/Overview Laxatives and purgatives constitute a broad group of therapeutic agents that facilitate the evacuation of the gastrointestinal tract. These medications are utilized for a variety of indications, ranging from the management of chronic constipation to the preparation of the colon for diagnostic endoscopic procedures. Their clinical relevance is underscored by the high prevalence of…
Introduction / Overview Prokinetic agents represent a distinct class of medications employed to enhance gastrointestinal motility and alleviate symptoms associated with dysmotility disorders. The clinical relevance of these drugs is underscored by their application in conditions such as gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, postoperative ileus, and nausea/vomiting syndromes. This monograph aims to provide a systematic and detailed…
Introduction and Overview Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) constitute a pivotal class of medications employed in the management of acid‑related gastrointestinal disorders. Their capacity to produce profound, sustained suppression of gastric acid secretion has rendered them indispensable in both acute and chronic therapeutic contexts. The global prevalence of conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer…
Introduction / Overview Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) remains a significant clinical problem worldwide, contributing to morbidity through pain, bleeding, perforation, and gastric outlet obstruction. The therapeutic armamentarium for PUD has evolved from simple antacids to sophisticated acid-suppressive agents that target specific components of gastric acid secretion. Understanding the pharmacology of these agents is essential for…
Introduction and Overview Persistent cough constitutes a frequent presenting symptom in primary and secondary care, often reflecting an underlying respiratory pathology such as infection, asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The therapeutic goal of antitussive and expectorant agents is to alleviate cough symptoms, thereby improving patient comfort and potentially reducing complications such as aspiration or…
Introduction / Overview Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a group of progressive lung disorders, primarily chronic bronchitis and emphysema, that impose a substantial burden on public health worldwide. The therapeutic landscape has evolved toward combination regimens that target airway inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus hypersecretion. An understanding of drug pharmacology is essential for clinicians and…
Introduction / Overview Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways characterized by episodic bronchoconstriction, mucus hypersecretion, and airway remodeling. The prevalence of asthma has increased globally, with significant morbidity and mortality associated with exacerbations. Pharmacologic therapy remains the cornerstone of disease management, aiming to relieve acute symptoms, reduce airway hyperresponsiveness, and prevent long‑term…
Introduction/Overview Bronchodilators constitute a pivotal class of therapeutics employed in the management of obstructive airway diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and bronchospastic disorders. Their primary objective is to alleviate bronchoconstriction by relaxing airway smooth muscle, thereby improving airflow and reducing respiratory distress. In clinical practice, bronchodilators are frequently used in acute…
Introduction and Overview Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5‑HT) is a central neurotransmitter that modulates numerous physiological processes, including mood, cognition, nociception, gastrointestinal motility, and vascular tone. The diversity of 5‑HT receptors—over 14 subtypes grouped into seven families (5‑HT1 to 5‑HT7)—has fostered the development of a wide spectrum of pharmacologic agents that act as agonists, partial agonists, antagonists,…
Introduction and Overview Prostaglandins and related eicosanoids represent a diverse class of bioactive lipids that arise from arachidonic acid metabolism. Their involvement in physiological and pathological processes—ranging from vascular tone regulation to inflammatory responses—has rendered them central to both basic science research and clinical therapeutics. The clinical relevance of these mediators is underscored by the…