Tropical Sprue Medication

  • Author: Rohan C Clarke, MD; Chief Editor: Julian Katz, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 30, 2012
 

Medication Summary

Nutrient replacement to correct deficiencies in patients with tropical sprue often includes folic acid, vitamin B-12, and iron. Antibiotic therapy is also helpful because early eradication of bacterial pathogens can relieve continuing injury to the gut.

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Vitamins

Class Summary

Nutritionally essential organic substances used in metabolism. Used in nucleic acid synthesis, required for normal erythropoiesis, and help in regeneration of intestinal mucosa. Patients with tropical sprue commonly have deficiencies of folate and, sometimes, vitamin B-12.

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Folic acid (Folvite)

 

Water-soluble vitamin used in nucleic acid synthesis. Required for normal erythropoiesis. Corrects megaloblastic anemia resulting from folate deficiency and helps regeneration of intestinal mucosa.

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Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B-12, Crystamine, Cyomin)

 

Water-soluble vitamin essential for normal erythropoiesis. Required for healthy neuronal functions and normal functions of rapidly growing cells.

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Antibiotics

Class Summary

Empiric antimicrobial therapy must be comprehensive and should cover all likely pathogens in the context of the clinical setting.

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Tetracycline (Sumycin)

 

This and oxytetracycline are bacteriostatic antibiotics that inhibit protein synthesis of bacteria.

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Minerals

Class Summary

Patients with anemia may need iron replacement along with folic acid and vitamin B-12.

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Iron sulfate (Ferrous sulfate, Feosol)

 

Nutritionally essential inorganic substance.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Rohan C Clarke, MD  Consulting Staff, Department of Gastroenterology, JPS Health Systems Hospital

Rohan C Clarke, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, and American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Rachael M Ferraro, DO  Internal Medicine Hospitalist, Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Little Company of Mary Hospital

Rachael M Ferraro, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Osteopathic Internists, American College of Physicians, and American Osteopathic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lisa Ozick, MD  Former Chief, Division of Gastroenterology, Harlem Hospital Center

Lisa Ozick, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sabo B Tanimu, MD  Fellow, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Harlem Hospital Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Oluyinka S Adediji, MD  Consulting Staff, Department of Adult and General Medicine, Health Services Incorporated, Montgomery, Alabama

Oluyinka S Adediji, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Manoop S Bhutani, MD  Professor, Co-Director, Center for Endoscopic Research, Training and Innovation (CERTAIN), Director, Center for Endoscopic Ultrasound, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Texas Medical Branch; Director, Endoscopic Research and Development, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Manoop S Bhutani, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Noel Williams, MD  Professor Emeritus, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Noel Williams, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP  Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, and Society of General Internal Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Julian Katz, MD  Clinical Professor of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine

Julian Katz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American College of Physicians, American Gastroenterological Association, American Geriatrics Society, American Medical Association, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, American Trauma Society, Association of American Medical Colleges, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  4. Klipstein, FA, Holdeman, LV, Corcino, JJ, et al. Enterotoxigenic intestinal bacteria in tropical sprue. Annals of Internal Medicine. 1973;79:632.

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Subtotal villous atrophy (H&E, orig. mag. ×10).
Tropical sprue (H&E, orig. mag. ×10).
Endoscopic views of unsuspected celiac disease. A: Absent duodenal folds. B: Mucosal fissures and scalloped folds. C: Scalloped fold.
 
 
 
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