Prucalopride

Prucalopride is a selective 5-ht4 receptor agonist prokinetic laxative medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, dosage, side effects and precautions — and all brands with their current prices.

• Treatment of chronic idiopathic constipation in adults.
• May be considered when dietary measures and conventional laxatives have not given sufficient relief, as advised by a doctor.

Prucalopride is usually taken once daily, with or without food. The exact dose and duration should be decided by the prescribing doctor based on age, kidney function, response, and tolerability. Do not increase the dose or use it for longer than advised.

• Common side effects include headache, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, flatulence, and tiredness.
• Diarrhoea may cause dehydration, especially in older adults or people taking diuretics.
• Seek medical help urgently for allergic reactions, severe or persistent diarrhoea, severe abdominal pain, fainting, chest discomfort, or new/worsening depression or suicidal thoughts.

Use caution in older adults, people with kidney disease, severe liver disease, significant heart disease, a history of depression or suicidal thoughts, or those at risk of dehydration. It should not be used for sudden severe abdominal symptoms without medical assessment. Use Prucalopride under the guidance of a registered doctor or pharmacist.

• Anticholinergic medicines and opioids may reduce the bowel-stimulating effect of Prucalopride and worsen constipation.
• Other medicines that cause diarrhoea, or diuretics, may increase the risk of dehydration if diarrhoea occurs.
• Some medicines that affect P-glycoprotein, such as ketoconazole, verapamil, quinidine, or ciclosporin, may modestly increase Prucalopride levels; clinical significance is usually limited but medical advice is recommended.
• No major food interaction is well established.

• Known hypersensitivity to prucalopride or any tablet ingredient.
• Kidney impairment requiring dialysis.
• Intestinal perforation or obstruction, or obstructive ileus.
• Severe inflammatory conditions of the intestinal tract such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, toxic megacolon, or toxic megarectum.

There is limited human safety information for use during pregnancy, so Prucalopride is generally avoided unless a doctor considers it clearly necessary. Prucalopride can pass into breast milk; breastfeeding mothers should use it only after discussing the benefits and risks with a doctor.

Store at room temperature, away from excess heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Keep tablets in the original packaging and out of the reach of children.