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Serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter synthesized by enterochromaffin cells, plays a cardinal role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility. With over 90% of the body's total serotonin in the GI tract, its influence on digestive processes is profound. Serotonin is swiftly released upon various stimuli, such as food boluses or certain drugs, triggering intrinsic sensory neurons in the myenteric plexus and extrinsic vagal and spinal sensory neurons. This leads to the activation of the...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: August 18, 2023

Cisapride for intestinal constipation.

Omar M Aboumarzouk¹, Trisha Agarwal, Ramez Antakia

¹Urology Department, Cym Taf NHS Trust, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, UK.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

|January 21, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Cisapride offers no clear benefit for constipation or IBS, despite some improvements in stool passage. Its severe side effects, including arrhythmias and fatalities, outweigh any potential efficacy.

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Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: August 18, 2023

Area of Science:

Gastroenterology
Pharmacology
Clinical Trials

Background:

Cisapride, a prokinetic agent, was withdrawn globally due to severe side effects like arrhythmias and fatalities.
Despite its withdrawal, cisapride remains accessible in some regions and online, necessitating a safety and efficacy review.
This systematic review focuses on cisapride's use in managing constipation and constipation-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome (C-IBS).

Purpose of the Study:

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cisapride as a prokinetic drug for constipation and C-IBS.
To assess cisapride's effectiveness in improving overall constipation and IBS symptom severity.

Main Methods:

A systematic review following Cochrane methodology was conducted to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Searches were performed on major databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL) up to November 2009.
Eight RCTs comparing cisapride to placebo in patients with functional constipation or C-IBS were included and analyzed using meta-analysis.

Main Results:

Cisapride demonstrated significant benefits in clinical improvement, daily stool passage, normal stool consistency, and reduced gastrointestinal transit time.
However, no significant improvements were observed in global symptom improvement, abdominal pain, stool frequency, bloating, or incomplete evacuation.
The review included 8 trials with 424 patients (157 children); intervention duration was 8-12 weeks.

Conclusions:

The potential benefits of cisapride for chronic constipation or C-IBS are not clearly demonstrated.
Given the significant risks of serious adverse events, including arrhythmias and recorded deaths, cisapride's use is not justifiable.
The severe safety profile outweighs any limited efficacy observed in the reviewed studies.