Development and clinical use of the new gastrointestinal prokinetic drug cisapride (R 51 619)

Cisapride is a new gastrointestinal prokinetic substance that is devoid of antidopaminergic and direct muscarinic activity. This was evidenced by a lack of effect on prolactin release and gastric secretion. In man, cisapride stimulates lower esophageal, gastric, small intestinal, and colonic motility. Accordingly, cisapride significantly improves esophageal reflux disorders, gastroparesis, and constipation and has been successfully used in the treatment of clinical conditions that result from a deficient motor coordination.