Digestive, Stomach & Nausea Medicines Guides

What Digestive, Stomach & Nausea Medicines covers

This section covers medicines for the digestive system: cramps and spasm, reflux and heartburn, nausea and vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, and the rehydration products used alongside them.

Digestive complaints are one of the most common reasons South Africans buy medicine without seeing a doctor first, and this is also where product names cause the most confusion. Hyospasmol, Scopex and Bevispas are all antispasmodics used for cramping. Contromet and Adco Contromet are metoclopramide products used for nausea. Knowing which of those two jobs your medicine does explains most of what you need.

The guides here cover four broad groups. Antispasmodics relax the gut muscle and relieve cramping. Anti-nausea medicines (antiemetics) reduce nausea and vomiting. Acid-reducing medicines — antacids, H2 blockers and proton pump inhibitors — treat reflux and heartburn at increasing strength. Bowel medicines cover laxatives and anti-diarrhoeals.

A fifth group matters more than its search volume suggests: oral rehydration. In diarrhoea, particularly in children, replacing fluid and salts is the treatment that actually changes outcomes. Stopping the diarrhoea is secondary and sometimes counterproductive.

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How the guides in this section differ

Cramping versus nausea. These need different medicines, and the products look similar on a shelf. An antispasmodic will not settle nausea, and an antiemetic will not relieve cramp.

Antacid, H2 blocker or PPI. For reflux these are three levels rather than three brands. Antacids neutralise acid already present and work within minutes but briefly. H2 blockers reduce acid production for longer. Proton pump inhibitors suppress it most strongly, take a day or two to reach full effect, and are intended for defined courses rather than indefinite use.

Treating the symptom versus finding the cause. Most products here manage symptoms. Persistent reflux, a change in bowel habit lasting more than a couple of weeks, or unexplained weight loss are reasons to be assessed rather than medicated.

Adult versus child formulations. Several ingredients here have paediatric suspensions at quite different strengths, and some are not suitable for children at all.

Matching the complaint to the right group is most of the battle:

What you have	The group you want	Examples in this section	Watch for
Cramping, colicky pain	Antispasmodic	Hyospasmol, Scopex, Bevispas	Dry mouth, blurred vision; caution with glaucoma
Nausea and vomiting	Antiemetic	Contromet, Adco Contromet	Short-term use; movement side effects in younger people
Heartburn, quick relief	Antacid	Various suspensions and tablets	Separate from other medicines by a couple of hours
Reflux, ongoing	H2 blocker or PPI	Omeprazole and similar	Takes a day or two; long courses need review
Diarrhoea	Rehydration first	Oral rehydration solution	Fluid and salts matter more than stopping it
Constipation	Laxative	Various types	Different types work differently; fluid intake matters

If the complaint does not fit a row cleanly, that is a reason to ask a pharmacist rather than to guess.

Safety, accuracy and next-step checks

These guides are informational and do not diagnose. Digestive symptoms overlap heavily with conditions that need proper assessment.

Practical points that matter here:

Rehydration comes first in diarrhoea, especially for children and older adults. Oral rehydration solution is the priority; anti-diarrhoeals are not suitable for young children and should be avoided where there is fever or blood in the stool.
Anti-diarrhoeals can be harmful in some infections, because slowing the bowel keeps the organism in place. If there is fever or blood, see a doctor rather than self-treating.
Antacids interfere with absorption of other medicines, including several antibiotics and thyroid medicine. Separate them by a couple of hours and ask your pharmacist.
Long-term acid suppression is a medical decision. PPIs are effective, but continuous use over months should be reviewed by a doctor rather than continued by repeat purchase.
Metoclopramide has movement-related side effects, particularly in younger people, and is intended for short-term use.
Antispasmodics cause dry mouth and blurred vision in some people and may be unsuitable with glaucoma or certain bladder conditions.

See a doctor promptly for blood in vomit or stool, black tarry stools, severe or persistent abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss, or vomiting that prevents keeping fluids down — particularly in a child or an older adult.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an antacid and a PPI? An antacid neutralises acid that is already there and acts quickly but briefly. A proton pump inhibitor reduces how much acid is produced, takes a day or two to work fully, and is used as a course.

My medicine is for cramps but I feel nauseous. Will it help? Probably not. Antispasmodics target cramping. Nausea needs a different medicine, and your pharmacist can point you to the right one.

Should I stop diarrhoea with medication? Not always, and not in young children. Fluid and salt replacement is the priority. Where there is fever or blood, an anti-diarrhoeal can make things worse — see a doctor.

Can I take reflux medicine every day indefinitely? Short courses are common and appropriate. Continuous use over months should be reviewed by a doctor, both to confirm the cause and to consider whether it is still needed.

Are these medicines safe in pregnancy? Some are and some are not. Nausea in pregnancy is common and there are recognised approaches, but the choice should come from a pharmacist or doctor who knows you are pregnant.

Digestive, Stomach & Nausea Medicines Used-For Guides