Pharma gyan Pandit

Pro-motility drugs in Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Pro-motility drugs work by stimulating the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and/or colon. One pro-motility drug, metoclopramide, is approved for Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Pro-motility drugs increase the pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter and strengthen the contractions (peristalsis) of the esophagus. Both effects would be expected to reduce reflux of acid. However, these effects on the sphincter and esophagus are small. Therefore, it is believed that the primary effect of metoclopramide may be to speed up emptying of the stomach, which also would be expected to reduce reflux.

Pro-motility drugs are most effective when taken 30 minutes before meals and again at bedtime. They are not very effective for treating either the symptoms or complications of Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Therefore, the pro-motility agents are reserved either for patients who do not respond to other treatments or are added to enhance other treatments for Gastroesophageal reflux disease.