A gastrointestinal (GI) cocktail is a mixture of medications used to treat indigestion. GI cocktails have also been used to treat symptoms of gastrointestinal problems such as chest and abdominal pain.
Read on to learn more about GI cocktails, what they’re made of, how they can help you, and more.
What Is a GI Cocktail?
A GI cocktail is a mixture of medications that the Emergency Department (ED) often gives for symptoms of dyspepsia, also known as ingestion.
GI cocktails don’t have a specific set of ingredients since they can be made using different medications. However, they generally contain the following ingredients:
The viscous lidocaine works as an anesthetic to relieve your pain, while the antacid neutralizes stomach acid to ease indigestion and heartburn.
An anticholinergic is added to treat vomiting, nausea, and other symptoms of gastrointestinal conditions. It can also relieve spasms and cramps in your bladder, intestines, and stomach. When used with antacids, it can also treat peptic or stomach ulcers.
What Conditions Can a GI Cocktail Treat?
GI cocktails are prescribed in the Emergency Department for symptoms of ingestion, such as chest and abdominal pain, once more serious causes have been ruled out.
Other symptoms of indigestion include:
- Feeling stuffed after meals
- Feeling full before you usually do while eating a meal
- Discomfort or a burning feeling in your chest
Indigestion isn’t a disease, but it may be a sign of underlying gastrointestinal issues.
Indigestion may be a sign of:
- Gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining.
- Acid reflux (also known as GERD and GER)
- Gastroparesis, a condition that slows or stops muscle movement in your stomach so it doesn't empty.
- Stomach cancer
- Peptic ulcer disease, when open sores form on the inside of your stomach.
Indigestion may also be caused by:
- Diet, if you eat too fast, too much, or eat too much spicy food, and drink too much coffee or drinks containing caffeine. You may also get indigestion if you drink too many alcoholic beverages.
- Taking certain types of medicine
- Smoking
- Constant stress
Do GI Cocktails Work?
Although GI cocktails are widely used to treat indigestion, there’s no clear, up-to-date evidence that suggests they are particularly effective.
Some studies have suggested that GI cocktails are only as effective as plain antacids.
A 2019 study looked at three variations of GI cocktails typically given for indigestion.
- An antacid
- An antacid/lidocaine 2% solution
- An antacid/lidocaine 2% viscous gel
Each participant rated their discomfort before and after taking their medications. It was found that there wasn’t a significant difference between the three groups after taking the medications. This seems to suggest that these two common types of GI cocktails were just as effective as plain antacids.
It’s also hard to determine the effectiveness of GI cocktails since the relief you get from taking a GI cocktail can be due to other drugs you may be taking at the same time.
One 1995 study looked at 97 patients who received a GI cocktail in the emergency department and found that 68% of the patients had also been given narcotics, nitroglycerine, antiemetics, and aspirin, among other medications.
An equal number of people had pain relief from using the cocktail alone versus using the cocktail along with the other medications. In the end, even though most people taking GI cocktails felt less pain, it was difficult to separate the effects of the GI cocktail from the effects of the other medications.
Side Effects
You may have some side effects from a gastrointestinal cocktail due to the ingredients used.
Side effects of antacids. You may have some side effects from the antacids in GI cocktails, including:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Pale or white bowel movements
The antacids in GI cocktails may not be good for you if you have bowel inflammation or appendicitis.
Side effects of viscous lidocaine. Possible side effects you can get from viscous lidocaine in GI cocktails include:
- Nervousness
- Changes in vision
- Tremors or shaking
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Chest pain
- Allergic reactions such as hives, itching, or skin rashes. You may also get swelling of the lips, tongue, and face.
Side effects of anticholinergics. You may get the following side effects from the anticholinergics in GI cocktails:
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Increased heart rate
- Confusion
- Attention deficit
To avoid any side effects, make sure to talk to your doctor about your current health and medical history. That way, they know what to avoid or what to adjust when preparing a GI cocktail for you.