| Oral antibiotics have significantly more side effects, especially gastrointestinal effects, than topical agents. |
| Acute upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage accounts for about 2500 hospital admissions each year in the United Kingdom. |
| Aside from mild gastrointestinal distress and allergic reactions, side effects are rare, and serious toxicity rarely has been reported. |
| Increased bone resorption, increased gastrointestinal absorption of calcium, and decreased renal excretion of calcium cause hypercalcemia. |
| A period of starvation is common practice after gastrointestinal surgery during which an intestinal anastomosis has been formed. |
| Possible therapeutic utilities could include modulation of gastrointestinal motility and treatment of impotence. |
