Prucalopride for constipation

Abstract

Importance of the field: Chronic constipation has a high prevalence, and current medical and pharmacological therapies do not restore normal bowel function in all patients.

Areas covered in the review: A PubMed search (1965 – 2009) using the following terms alone or in combination: prucalopride, 5-HT₄, R093877, safety, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, transit, cardiac, hERG, arrhythmia, potassium current, elderly.

What the reader will gain: Understanding of the mechanisms of action, safety, efficacy and indications for prucalopride in patients with chronic constipation.

Take home message: Prucalopride is an efficacious and generally safe, new therapeutic option in the management of chronic constipation.

Keywords::

• 5-HT₄ receptor
• efficacy
• enterokinetic
• pharmacodynamics
• pharmacokinetics
• prokinetic
• R093887
• R108512
• safety
• serotonin agonist

Acknowledgement

We thank C Stanislav for excellent secretarial assistance.

Notes