The highly selective
serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonist
prucalopride (
Resolor(®),
Resotran(®),
Resotrans(®)) is indicated for the treatment of chronic
constipation. In four randomized, double-blind, multicentre, 12-week trials in patients (predominantly women) with chronic
constipation, oral
prucalopride 2 mg once daily improved bowel function to a significantly greater extent than placebo, with a significantly greater proportion of
prucalopride than placebo recipients achieving an average of ≥3 spontaneous, complete bowel movements per week (primary endpoint). Significantly greater improvements in health-related quality of life, patient satisfaction with treatment and bowel habit, and a range of
constipation-related symptoms were also seen with
prucalopride than with placebo. Satisfaction with treatment and bowel habit was maintained with
prucalopride in the longer term.
Prucalopride was generally well tolerated in patients with chronic
constipation, with the most commonly reported adverse events (
headache,
nausea,
abdominal pain, diarrhoea) primarily occurring on the first day of treatment. During the clinical trials, no cardiovascular safety issues have arisen in patients with chronic
constipation receiving
prucalopride. In conclusion,
prucalopride is an important option for use in patients with chronic
constipation who have not experienced adequate relief with laxatives.