Double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled study to evaluate the effects of tegaserod on gastric motor, sensory and myoelectric function in healthy volunteers

Summary Background The effects of tegaserod on gastric accommodation and postprandial satiety remain unclear. Aim To compare the effects of tegaserod 6 mg twice daily vs. placebo on gastric volumes, postprandial symptoms, gastric emptying, small bowel transit and the surface electrogastrogram in female and male healthy volunteers. Methods Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study evaluated gastric function before and after 7 days of tegaserod 6 mg twice daily ( n  = 21) vs. placebo ( n  = 20) in healthy volunteers. Validated methods were used to study gastric emptying, myoelectrical activity, volumes and satiation postnutrient challenge. Results There were no significant effects of tegaserod on the primary endpoints assessing gastric function: emptying of solids or liquids, total gastric volumes or myoelectrical activity. Maximum tolerated volume and aggregate symptom score with nutrient challenge on placebo were 1035 mL (±44) and 130 (±15) vs. 989 mL (±43) and 117 (±15) during tegaserod, respectively (all P  = N.S.). Postprandial change in proximal gastric volume by single photon emission‐computed tomography was decreased in females on tegaserod (246 ± 30) vs. placebo (358 ± 32) ( P  = 0.015). Proximal fasting volumes in females were increased on tegaserod (126 ± 12) vs. placebo (92 ± 13) ( P  = 0.066). Conclusions While tegaserod decreased proximal gastric volume change after a meal, it does not appear to have significant effects on gastric motor and sensory function in healthy individuals. Further studies are required in patients with disturbances of gastric motor and sensory function.