A promising, but as yet unapproved, new drug overcomes severe chronic constipation while minimising the possibility of cardiac-related side effects, according to a study. Under the study, 620 patients were randomly assigned to receive either of the 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 struggled with the problem for several years. “Many more of the patients taking prucalopride were able to have spontaneous bowel movements without taking enemas or laxatives, as compared to those who were given the placebo,” said Michael Camilleri of Mayo Clinic, who led the study. “The time it took to have a first bowel movement was much shorter, and quality of life and other abdominal symptoms also were improved for those taking the study drug.” Constipation is a common medical problem, affecting millions world-wide with expenditure on laxatives and other treatments alone running into billions of dollars every year. Prevalence is higher among women and is particularly acute in the elderly. The study involved patients with an extreme but common version of constipation called severe chronic constipation.