Prucalopride
About
Prucalopride belongs to the group of medicines called gastrointestinal prokinetics used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation. Chronic idiopathic constipation is a functional bowel disorder characterised by difficult or incomplete and/or infrequent passage of stools that lasts for 3months or longer and is not caused by any disease or medication.
Prucalopride contains ‘prucalopride’, which acts on the muscle walls of the gut, and increases bowel motility. Thereby, helps restore the normal functioning of the bowel and treats constipation. Prucalopride helps treat chronic constipation in adults in whom laxatives do not work well.
You are advised to take Prucalopride for as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. In some cases, you may experience certain common side-effects such as headache, diarrhoea, nausea, and abdominal pain. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Avoid taking Prucalopride if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Prucalopride is not recommended for children below 18 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Prucalopride may cause dizziness and tiredness, so drive only if you are alert. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and the medicines you are taking to rule out any unpleasant side effects or interactions.
Uses of Prucalopride
Medicinal Benefits
Prucalopride belongs to the group of medicines called gastrointestinal prokinetics used to treat chronic idiopathic constipation. Prucalopride acts on the muscle walls of the gut and increases bowel motility. Thereby, helps restore the normal functioning of the bowel and treats constipation. Prucalopride helps treat chronic constipation in adults in whom laxatives do not work well.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Prucalopride
- Abdominal pain/cramps
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Tiredness
- Nausea
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Prucalopride if you are allergic to any of its components, if you are on renal dialysis, have perforation/obstruction of the gut wall, inflammation of the intestinal tract, Crohn’s disease, toxic megacolon/megarectum or ulcerative colitis. Inform your doctor if you have AIDS, hormonal problems, neurological disease, suicidal tendency, mood disorder, cancer, heart, kidney or liver problems. Avoid taking Prucalopride if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Prucalopride is not recommended for children below 18 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Prucalopride may cause dizziness and tiredness, so drive only if you are alert.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Prucalopride may interact with an antihistamine (diphenhydramine).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have renal dialysis, perforation/obstruction of the gut wall, inflammation of the intestinal tract, Crohn’s disease, toxic megacolon/megarectum, ulcerative colitis, mood disorders, or suicidal tendency.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is not known if alcohol interacts with Prucalopride. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Pregnancy
unsafePrucalopride is not recommended during pregnancy. Use a reliable method of contraception while taking Prucalopride. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, think you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
unsafePrucalopride might pass into breastmilk. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Prucalopride.
Driving
cautionPrucalopride is unlikely to affect your ability to drive. However, sometimes Prucalopride might cause dizziness and tiredness, so drive only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have liver impairment/liver disease.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease.
Children
unsafePrucalopride is not recommended for children below 18 years as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Try maintaining a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Stay hydrated, drink enough water and fluids.
- Exercise regularly, and stay fit.
- Get enough sleep.
- Try making time to empty your bowels whenever the body tells you to.
- Eat food rich in fibre such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, flaxseed, nuts, beans, lentils, fruits (berries, apples, oranges, bananas, pears, figs) and vegetables (broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, avocados).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Chronic idiopathic constipation: Chronic idiopathic constipation is a functional bowel disorder characterised by difficult or incomplete and/or infrequent passage of stools that lasts for 3months or longer and is not caused by any disease or medication. Symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, and feeling as if the bowel movement is incomplete. Constipation occurs when the normal muscle contractions in the large intestine slow down, which causes the incomplete elimination of the bowel from the body. Constipation could be associated with a sudden change of diet, a diet with less fibre, not drinking enough liquids, lack of exercise, loss of tone of the bowel muscles in older people, or having to stay in bed for a longer duration.
FAQs
Prucalopride acts on the muscle walls of the gut and increases bowel motility. Thereby, helps restore the normal functioning of the bowel and treats constipation
Diarrhoea might occur if Prucalopride is taken in larger doses. Drink lots of fluids and eat non-spicy food if you experience diarrhoea. Contraceptive pills might become ineffective in case of severe diarrhoea. In such conditions, use an extra method of contraception.
Do not take Prucalopride for longer durations unless advised by the doctor as it might lead to dependency on Prucalopride for a bowel movement. Consult your doctor if your bowel movement is irregular even after taking Prucalopride for four weeks.
Drink plenty of fluids and consume fibre-rich food, whole-grain bread, unprocessed bran, fruits and vegetables. Try to exercise regularly.
If you miss a dose, try to take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the scheduled dose instead. Avoid taking the double dose as it might cause unpleasant side effects or overdose.
