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Gastro-oesophageal reflux in paediatric patients: studies with alizapride
Insights
Alizapride effectively improved symptoms and was well-tolerated in children with gastro-oesophageal reflux. This dopaminergic-receptor blocker showed significant effects on esophageal motility, aiding in pediatric digestive tract motor disorder management.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Gastro-oesophageal reflux is a common condition in infants and children.
- Effective management of digestive tract motor disorders in pediatric patients is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of alizapride in pediatric patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux.
- To evaluate the prokinetic activity and effects of alizapride on esophageal and gastric motility.
Main Methods:
- Studies involved infants and children with gastro-oesophageal reflux.
- Investigational techniques included manometry, pH monitoring, endoscopy, and scintigraphy.
- Alizapride was administered via intravenous and oral routes.
Main Results:
- Alizapride demonstrated a significant effect on lower esophageal sphincter pressure and peristaltic wave amplitude.
- Evidence for an effect on gastric motility was less conclusive.
- Long-term oral treatment (5 mg/kg/day) led to marked symptomatic improvement and good tolerability.
Conclusions:
- Alizapride shows promise as a well-tolerated treatment for pediatric gastro-oesophageal reflux.
- Further objective evidence is being gathered through a double-blind controlled trial.
- Alizapride may be a valuable option for managing pediatric digestive tract motor disorders.
Abstract:
A series of studies was carried out in infants and children suffering from gastro-oesophageal reflux to assess the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of alizapride, a recently developed dopaminergic-receptor blocker. Investigational techniques such as manometry, pH monitoring, endoscopy and scintigraphy were used to evaluate a prokinetic activity of the drug and its effects on oesophageal and gastric motility when given by the intravenous and oral routes. Preliminary findings indicate that alizapride had a significant effect on lower oesophageal sphincter pressure and peristaltic wave amplitude, but the evidence for an effect on gastric motility was less clear. Long-term treatment with oral alizapride (usually in a dosage of 5 mg/kg/day) suggests that it produced marked symptomatic improvement and was very well tolerated in the majority of the patients studied. A double-blind controlled trial is now in progress to provide more objective evidence of the usefulness of alizapride in the management of digestive tract motor disorders in paediatric patients.