Constipation that lasts for weeks, even months, is a very annoying and uncomfortable thing. The feeling of fullness, stomach pain, and all this can make it difficult to do your daily activities, right? If you are also suffering from this condition, your doctor may have told you to start taking a medicine called Prucalopride. So today, let's talk about what Prucalopride is, how it works in our body, what side effects it may cause, and what you need to be careful about when using this medicine.
Simply put, what is Prucalopride?
Prucalopride is a specific medication used to treat severe, long-term constipation . In Sri Lanka, you may find it under the brand name Motegrity.
Imagine that our intestines are like a tube. After the food we eat is digested, the remaining waste, called feces, travels along this tube and exits the body. The muscles in the walls of the intestines help in this journey. They contract like waves and push the feces forward. In some people, the function of these muscles is weakened. Then that pushing process does not happen properly. That is when constipation occurs.
Prucalopride works by stimulating the muscles in the intestines and increasing their motility. It's like giving a slow-moving machine a little boost. When the bowel movements increase in this way, stool begins to move more easily and leave the body.
The important thing is that this is not a medicine for ordinary constipation. A doctor will prescribe it for long-term constipation that has not been relieved by other treatments (for example, eating a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of water, or other mild laxatives).
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting any medication, it is important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. Before starting Prucalopride, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below.
| Your health condition | Why should I inform the doctor about it? |
|---|---|
| A blockage in your bowel or another serious bowel disease. | Because this medicine increases bowel movement, if there is already a blockage, it can damage the bowel. That is a dangerous situation. |
| Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, Diverticulitis . | In these types of conditions, the intestinal walls may be weakened and injured. These conditions may worsen as the medication works. |
| If you have kidney disease or are undergoing dialysis. | The kidneys are responsible for filtering and removing medications from our bodies. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, the medication can build up in the body and increase the risk of side effects. As a result, the doctor may have to change the dosage of the medication. |
| If you or a family member has had suicidal thoughts or depression . | This medication can affect the mental state of some people, so if you have a pre-existing condition like this, it is very important for your doctor to be aware of it. |
| If you are pregnant , trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding . | The safety of this medication during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not yet been fully established. Therefore, it is important to talk to your doctor before starting treatment in these cases. |
| If you have an allergy to Prucalopride or any other medicine, food, or dye . | Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. This can help prevent a severe allergic reaction. |
How should I use the medicine?
The method of using this medicine is very simple. However, the most important thing is to follow the doctor's instructions exactly.
- Take this pill with a glass of water .
- Make it a habit to take it at the same time every day. This will help maintain the same level of the medicine in your body.
- This can be taken before or after meals . However, if you feel an upset stomach after taking the medicine, it is best to take it with food.
- Continue taking the medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Don't stop tomorrow thinking you're feeling better today.
- Special care should be taken when giving this medicine to children . Therefore, if you are giving this medicine to a child, talk to your doctor about it carefully.
What if you suddenly take too much medicine?
If you have even the slightest suspicion that you have taken too much medicine, do not ignore it. Go immediately to the nearest hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) . Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Remember this: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not give this medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may be dangerous.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
We sometimes forget to take our medicine, don't we? If that happens, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once just because you missed a dose.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
There are a few special things you need to pay attention to while taking this medication.
Special attention to mental health
This is the most important warning when talking about Prucalopride. This medication can affect the mental state of a small number of people. That is:
- Feeling increasingly sad and depressed.
- Sudden changes in behavior .
- Having negative thoughts about life or thoughts of harming yourself .
These changes are more likely to occur early in the medication or after changing the dosage.
If you or someone in your family experiences something like this, don't ignore it as a minor issue. Talk to your doctor right away. This is very important.
Stay in touch with the doctor regularly.
After starting the medication, your doctor will give you a day to come back to see how you are doing. Be sure to go on that day. If your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse, tell your doctor.
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medicine, Prucalopride can cause side effects. However, not everybody gets them. Let's take a look at what these side effects are and what to do if they occur.
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Severe allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Mental health changes | Suicidal thoughts, increased depression, sudden changes in behavior. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Stomach pain or discomfort | It is most common in the first few days after starting the medication. |
| Diarrhea | It can be caused by increased bowel activity. |
| Nausea | Feeling like vomiting. |
| Headache | It usually subsides within a few days. |
| Dizziness | A feeling of dizziness. |
| Fatigue | Feeling of lifelessness. |
| Flatulence/Gas | It may be caused by changes in bowel function. |
This list does not include all side effects. If you notice anything else that is different or unusual, talk to your doctor about it.
How do you store and dispose of medication?
- Storage: Always keep medicines out of the reach of children and pets . Ideally, store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Do not use medicines that have passed their expiration date.
- Disposal: Disposing of expired or unwanted medications is also a matter of caution. Do not simply throw them in the trash or flush them down the toilet. Doing so can harm the environment. Some pharmacies will take back these medications. You can ask your doctor about this. If not, take the pills out of the container, mix them with something like used coffee grounds or soil, and put them in a sealable bag and dispose of them with the trash.
Take-Home Message
- Prucalopride is a special medication for long-term constipation that should only be used under the advice of a doctor.
- Before starting the medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, other medications you are taking, and allergies.
- If you experience any changes in your mental state (especially depression, suicidal thoughts) while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately .
- This medicine is for you only. Never give it to anyone else.
- Use the dosage prescribed by the doctor, exactly as prescribed, for the prescribed period of time.
- If you have any questions about this medicine, ask your doctor.
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