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According to findings published in the recent issue of New England Journal of Medicine, a new drug named, prucalopride, has shown encouraging results in the treatment of severe chronic constipation. The drug overcomes severe chronic constipation and at the same time minimises the possibility of cardiac-related side effects. The study was led by Michael Camilleri of Mayo Clinic.
For the purpose of study, 620 patients were randomly assigned to receive either of two dosage levels of prucalopride, a drug that stimulates protein receptors involved in colon contraction - or a placebo. All the patients averaged only one bowel movement during the fortnight before treatment, while most had severe chronic constipation for several years.
Patients who were given prucalopride were able to have spontaneous bowel movements without taking enemas or laxatives, as compared to those who were given the placebo.
The most common adverse effect from the drug was diarrhoea, which tended to occur in the early stages of treatment, but later on most patients settled into a more normal routine of bowel movements. According to Michael Camilleri, risks of cardiac-related side effects that have been raised about related drugs for constipation including tegaserod, seem to be less of a concern with prucalopride.
Prucalopride is yet to be approved for use in the US or in any other country.
