GI Cocktail
Encyclopedia
A gastrointestinal cocktail, known as a GI cocktail, is a generic term for a mixture of liquid antacid
, viscous lidocaine
, and an anticholinergic
primarily used to treat dyspepsia
. The GI cocktail may also deceptively mask pain originating from the heart
.
There is a wide variety of GI cocktail recipes in use today. A very popular one is a mixture of Maalox
, Donnatal
, and viscous lidocaine
, in equal parts. A mixture of 10 ml Mylanta
, 10 ml Donnatal and 10 ml viscous lidocaine is known as "The Green Goddess". The efficacy of this mixture for the treatment of dyspepsia is generally considered superior to treatment with only any one of its components, due to their varied mechanisms of relief; however, a recent study found that a GI cocktail was no more effective in relieving stomach pain than an antacid alone.
Antacid
An antacid is a substance which neutralizes stomach acidity.-Mechanism of action:Antacids perform a neutralization reaction, increasing the pH to reduce acidity in the stomach. When gastric hydrochloric acid reaches the nerves in the gastrointestinal mucosa, they signal pain to the central nervous...
, viscous lidocaine
Lidocaine
Lidocaine , Xylocaine, or lignocaine is a common local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug. Lidocaine is used topically to relieve itching, burning and pain from skin inflammations, injected as a dental anesthetic or as a local anesthetic for minor surgery.- History :Lidocaine, the first amino...
, and an anticholinergic
Anticholinergic
An anticholinergic agent is a substance that blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and the peripheral nervous system. An example of an anticholinergic is dicycloverine, and the classic example is atropine....
primarily used to treat dyspepsia
Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia , also known as upset stomach or indigestion, refers to a condition of impaired digestion. It is a medical condition characterized by chronic or recurrent pain in the upper abdomen, upper abdominal fullness and feeling full earlier than expected when eating...
. The GI cocktail may also deceptively mask pain originating from the heart
Heart
The heart is a myogenic muscular organ found in all animals with a circulatory system , that is responsible for pumping blood throughout the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions...
.
There is a wide variety of GI cocktail recipes in use today. A very popular one is a mixture of Maalox
Maalox
Maalox is a brand name antacid containing aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide to neutralize or reduce stomach acid.Maalox helps relieve symptoms of excessive stomach acidity in patients with indigestion, heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or stomach or duodenal ulcers. In large...
, Donnatal
Donnatal
Donnatal is a proprietary combination medication for the treatment of intestinal cramping due to various causes, often administered as part of a GI Cocktail. It is classed as an anticholinergic antispasmodic drug. Donnatal is marketed by PBM Pharmaceuticals. It is available as tablets, capsules,...
, and viscous lidocaine
Lidocaine
Lidocaine , Xylocaine, or lignocaine is a common local anesthetic and antiarrhythmic drug. Lidocaine is used topically to relieve itching, burning and pain from skin inflammations, injected as a dental anesthetic or as a local anesthetic for minor surgery.- History :Lidocaine, the first amino...
, in equal parts. A mixture of 10 ml Mylanta
Mylanta
Mylanta is an over the counter antacid medication used for the treatment of acid reflux, heartburn, and gastroesophageal reflux disease .-Ingredients:...
, 10 ml Donnatal and 10 ml viscous lidocaine is known as "The Green Goddess". The efficacy of this mixture for the treatment of dyspepsia is generally considered superior to treatment with only any one of its components, due to their varied mechanisms of relief; however, a recent study found that a GI cocktail was no more effective in relieving stomach pain than an antacid alone.