Long-term results with cisapride in Parkinson's disease

In this study, we examined whether there is a long-term effect of cisapride on colonic transit in Parkinson's disease. Twenty-five patients (11 women, 14 men; average age, 64.4 years; moderate symptoms) were studied and treated initially with cisapride, 5 mg, twice a day, and after the first week with cisapride, 10 mg, twice a day. Colonic transit was measured by radioopaque markers at various stages: after 1 week, 6 months, and 1 year. In untreated patients, transit took 131 h; after 1 week with cisapride, it was accelerated to 81 h. After 6 months, colonic transit time amounted to 99 and 118 h, respectively, after 1 year. Cisapride seems to be highly effective initially. After 6 months, a significant but reduced effect was seen, and after 1 year, only a small effect could be demonstrated.