THE EFFECTS OF CISAPRIDE ON THE QUALITY AND TOLERANCE OF COLONIC LAVAGE - A DOUBLE-BLIND RANDOMIZED STUDY

Colonic lavage is a preferred preparation for colonoscopy although thi s type of preparation does not always result in optimal cleansing. We postulated that cisapride, a new prokinetic agent, might improve the c leansing of the colon and ameliorate patient discomfort. Of 84 patient s undergoing colonoscopy, 41 were randomized (double-blind) to Golytel y plus cisapride (10 mg per OS three times during the day before the p rocedure and one 10-mg dose on the morning of the procedure) and 43 to Golytely plus a placebo of identical appearance. The adequacy of the preparation was scored on a five-point grading scale for each anatomic segment and for the overall impression. A questionnaire was also used to assess each patient's symptoms during lavage. The mean overall pre paration score in the cisapride group was 4.0, compared with 3.7 for t he placebo group (p = .54). in the transverse colon, the mean preparat ion score was higher for the cisapride group (4.3 versus 3.8, p = .02) . Differences in symptom scores between the two groups were not signif icant. In conclusion, the use of cisapride may improve visualization o f the transverse colon, but it did not result in significant improveme nt in the overall preparation score. Changes in the dosage of cisaprid e should be further evaluated.