[Effect of clonidine on oro-cecal transit time in normal man]

The aim of our study was to explore the effect of clonidine on the mouth to caecum transit time in healthy man. Hydrogen-breath test, using lactulose 10 g, was carried out in 10 healthy male volunteers, in double-blind conditions and in random sequences of medications, placebo or clonidine (0.3 mg per os). Clonidine increased the mouth to caecum transit time significantly (p = 0.013): from 85 +/- 12 min. (with placebo) to 139 +/- 16 min. (mean +/- SE). This study suggests that the antidiarrheal action of clonidine is due, at least in part, to effect on motility of the proximal gut.