Pharmacological Advances in Pain and Symptom Control for Digestive and Hepatic Disorder Patients

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Major advances in the pharmacotherapy of gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders have occurred in recent years. Important adverse effects on the GI tract due to symptom control medications and on other systems due to GI drugs also have been identified. Digestive and hepatic disorders cause a constellation of symptoms, pain, and suffering often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Recent pharmacological advances and improved understanding of disease pathogenesis have led to new therapeutic agents and revolutionized drug therapy for GI and hepatic disorders. To address these important advances, the Journal is initiating a series of articles which will review current practices and ongoing developments associated with digestive and hepatic disorders. Management of gastroesophageal reflux disease, Helicobacter pylori and peptic ulcer disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and viral hepatitis will be reviewed as well as the treatment of constipation, and nausea and vomiting unrelated to chemotherap...