Medical Therapies

Unlike in upper GI bleeds, where IV vasopressins and proton pump inhibitors have an accepted role in the management of patients, there is little use for medical therapies in patients with lower GI bleeds.

Treat those patients taking warfarin in line with local protocols.  Low dose aspirin is usually continued and NSAIDS stopped. Consider if the risk of re-bleeding outweighs need to be on anticoagulant, this may involve a discussion with appropriate specialty [20].

Learning bite

There is little role for medical therapies in the management of lower GI haemorrhage.