Cisapride is a medication that was used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in cats for many years. Recently, it has been removed from the US market by the FDA due to serious heart-related complications in cats. This article will provide an overview of cisapride and its effects on cats.
What Is Cisapride?
Cisapride is a medication used to treat gastrointestinal disorders in cats, such as vomiting and diarrhea. It works by increasing the amount of time it takes for food to pass through the cat’s digestive system, which helps reduce symptoms associated with these conditions.
Before being removed from the US market, it was available under different brand names such as Propulsid and Prepulsid.
How Does Cisapride Work?
Cisapride works by stimulating receptors located in the small intestine which increases motility (movement) throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
This helps food pass through your cat’s digestive system at a quicker rate, reducing vomiting and diarrhea associated with certain conditions. In addition, it can help improve appetite and absorption of nutrients from food.
Why Was Cisapride Removed From The US Market?
The FDA removed cisapride from the US market due to serious heart-related side effects in cats. These side effects included abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), fainting spells, and even death in some cases.
As a result, veterinarians are no longer allowed to prescribe or dispense cisapride for cats in the United States.
Conclusion
Cisapride was once an effective treatment option for cats suffering from gastrointestinal disorders, but it has since been removed from the US market due to serious heart-related complications in cats.
While there are other medications available to treat these conditions, vets should be aware of potential risks associated with any medication they prescribe or dispense for their patients.
It is always best practice to discuss all options with your vet before starting any new medications or treatments for your pet’s condition.
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