Open AccessThe Advantages and Disadvantages of Prokinetics
Author(s) -
Jeongkuk Seo,
Kee Wook Jung
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the korean journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2289-0769
pISSN - 1738-9364
DOI - 10.3904/kjm.2021.96.6.478
Subject(s) - cisapride , gastroparesis , medicine , motility , constipation , agonist , drug , gastrointestinal tract , side effect (computer science) , gastroenterology , pharmacology , gastric emptying , receptor , stomach , biology , computer science , genetics , programming language
Prokinetics are medications that enhance gastrointestinal contractility; they improve the symptoms of patients with delayed gastrointestinal motility. Prokinetics have conventionally been used to stimulate gastrointestinal propulsion and to treat symptoms correlated with motility problems, including gastroparesis and constipation. 5-Hydroxytryptamine receptor 4 (5-HT4) agonists, such as cisapride, very effectively increased human gastrointestinal tract motility. However, cisapride sometimes induced serious tachyarrhythmia; the drug was thus withdrawn from the market. Thereafter, many prokinetics have been developed to treat delayed gastrointestinal motility. However, some exhibit serious side-effects. Recently, a new, highly selective serotonin receptor agonist, prucalopride, has been introduced; there is as yet no evidence of serious cardiac side- effects. The drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat chronic constipation. Thus, recently introduced, highly selective agents appear to show promise as treatments for gastrointestinal dysmotility; there seem to be no serious side-effects.