GASTROINTESTINAL PROKINETIC THERAPY - SEROTONERGIC DRUGS

Gastrointestinal prokinetic therapy is becoming increasingly important in small animal practice. The first four parts of this five-part Cont inuing Education series group gastrointestinal prokinetic drugs into f our categories; for each category, the mechanisms of action, site of a ctivity, and indications are considered. Part I provided information o n the dopaminergic antagonist drugs. Part II dealt with motilin-like d rugs. This article, which is Part Iii, discusses serotonergic drugs, e specially cisapride. Part IV will deal with the acetylcholinesterase i nhibitors or parasympathetic potentiating drugs. The concluding articl e will consider the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal, gastric, an d colonic motility disorders. Cisapride stimulates gastrointestinal mo tility at a dosage of 0.1 to 1.0 mg/kg orally every 8 to 12 hours. It is superior to metoclopramide in the treatment of gastroesophageal ref lux, delayed gastric emptying, ileus, and constipation. At a dose of 0 .6 to 2.6 mg/kg, cisapride may be useful as an antiemetic for patients receiving cis-platinum chemotherapy if other 5-HT3 antagonists are un available.