Efficacy and Safety of 5-HT4 Receptor Agonist Minesapride for Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation in a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract Background and aims Treatment options for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) are limited—new prokinetic drugs are needed. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of minesapride (DSP-6952), a partial agonist with high affinity for 5-HT4 receptors, in patients with IBS-C in Japan. Methods We performed a double-blind phase 2 study of 171 patients with Rome III-defined IBS-C at 33 centers in Japan, from December 2012 through August 2013. Patients were randomly assigned to groups given minesapride (1, 4, 12, or 40 mg) or placebo once daily for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was efficacy, defined as improvement in the weekly frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movements (CSBMs), abdominal symptoms, and IBS-C symptoms (according to the Japanese version of the IBS severity index score). For evaluation of safety, adverse events (AEs) were recorded. Results The least squares mean change from baseline in the weekly frequency of CSBMs was greater in all minesapride groups than in the placebo group at week 4 (40 mg vs placebo, P=.040). The abdominal symptoms score improved in minesapride 40 mg group. The overall IBS severity index score decreased from baseline to week 4 in all treatment groups—especially in the 12 mg and 40 mg groups (P=.048 and Conclusions In a phase 2 trial of patients with IBS-C in Japan, minesapride increased stool frequency (measured by CSBMs), reduced abdominal and overall IBS-C symptoms, and was well tolerated. Japan Pharmaceutical Information Center trial no: JapicCTI-122041.