Prucalopride

Laxative · 5HT3-agonist

Indications

Treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation.

Dosage

Adults: 2 mg once daily. Reassess if no response after 4 wk. Elderly above 65 yr: Initially 1 mg once daily, if necessary increase to 2 mg once daily. Children: Not recommended.

Adverse Effects

Nausea, vomiting, headache, abdominal pain/distension, diarrhoea, dizziness, flatulence, fatigue.

Risk Factor (Pregnancy/Lactation)

Pregnancy: No evidence of risk in humans. Lactation: Caution advised or effect undetermined. Contraindications: End-stage renal disease. Intestinal perforation or obstruction due to structural or functional disorder of gut wall, obstructive ileus, severe inflammatory conditions of the intestinal tract (eg, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, toxic megacolon/megarectum). Precautions: Severe renal impairment. Moderate or severe hepatic impairment. Monitor for persistent worsening of depression or the emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviours.

Interactions

Erythromycin.

Advice to Patient

Take with or without meals. Discontinue immediately and contact prescriber in case of extreme depression or the emergence of suicidal thoughts.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well-absorbed. Bioavailability: >90%. Metabolism: Hepatic. Half-life elimination: 1 day. Time to peak, plasma: 2-3 hrs. Excretion: Urine (84.2%). Faeces (13.3%).

Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

Always consult a pharmacist or doctor.