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A gastrointestinal cocktail, (also known as a GI cocktail or gastric cocktail), is a mixture of medications used to treat symptoms of dyspepsia. The GI cocktail generally contains a mixture of viscous lidocaine, an antacid, and an anticholinergic. The GI cocktail is commonly prescribed in the hospital or emergency department, and has been used to help distinguish chest pain as either gastrointestinal or cardiac. These symptoms include: belching, heartburn, chest pain, abdominal discomfort, abdominal bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, and flatulence. Dyspepsia itself is not an illness, rather it is an indicator of chronic underlying gastrointestinal issues such as peptic ulcer disease, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, H. pylori gastritis, gastroparesis, or upper gastrointestinal cancers. Dyspepsia can additionally be contributed to medications such as potassium supplements, NSAIDs, digitalis, iron, glucocorticoids, and colchicine, as well as lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, and cigarette smoking. compared treatment with antacids plus either viscous lidocaine or benzocaine solution and did not find a statistically significant difference between the two treatment arms – however the study lacked an antacid monotherapy arm. A robust double-blind clinical trial performed in 2003 by Berman et al.
- Allergic reaction such as rash, itching, or hives. Swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth, face, and throat is possible in severe cases
- Stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Anticholinergic:
- Dry mouth
- Blurry vision
- Dry eyes
- Constipation
- Urinary retention
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Heart arrhythmia
Contents and dosing
The GI cocktail is a mixture of a viscous anesthetic, an antacid, and an anticholinergic. Common anticholinergics used are hyoscyamine sulfate, atropine sulfat<nowiki/>e, scopolamine hydrobromide, and phenobarbital (more commonly known as Donnatal).