Cisapride

Alternative Medicine The following information is specific for alternative and complementary medicine. For additional evidence-based information on diseases, conditions, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and wellness issues, continue searching the Healthwise Knowledgebase.

Also indexed as:

Propulsid

Cisapride is a gastrointestinal stimulant drug used to treat people with nighttime heartburn due to reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. It is also used to increase movement of gastrointestinal contents in conditions of lack of spontaneous gastrointestinal movement.

Herbs

Summary of Interactions for Cisapride

Depletion or interference	None known
Adverse interaction	Grapefruit juice Pomegranate juice* Red wine
Side effect reduction/prevention	None known
Supportive interaction	None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	Tobacco

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Other Interactions

Alcohol

Alcohol consumption is associated with nighttime heartburn and may interfere with cisapride therapy.¹ Alcohol causes sleepiness, and cisapride may intensify this effect,² increasing the risk of accidental injury. Ingestion of red wine along with cisapride may also increase blood levels of the drug in some individuals, potentially increasing its side effects.³ People taking cisapride should avoid alcohol.

Tobacco

Smoking is associated with nighttime heartburn and may interfere with cisapride therapy.⁴ Smokers taking cisapride may benefit from reducing or quitting smoking.

Grapefruit juice

In a study of healthy males, ingestion of 250 ml (about one cup) of grapefruit juice along with cisapride increased the peak blood level of the drug by an average of 68%.⁵ It is not known whether consuming grapefruit juice at a separate time of the day would affect blood levels of cisapride. As this interaction could potentially increase the side effects of cisapride, individuals taking cisapride should avoid grapefruit and its juice.

Pomegranate juice

Pomegranate juice has been shown to inhibit the same enzyme that is inhibited by grapefruit juice.^{6, 7} The degree of inhibition is about the same for each of these juices. Therefore, it would be reasonable to expect that pomegranate juice might interact with cisapride in the same way that grapefruit juice does.

References

1. Threlkeld DS, ed. Gastrointestinal Drugs, GI Stimulants, Cisapride. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Nov 1998, 308b-8c.
2. Threlkeld DS, ed. Gastrointestinal Drugs, GI Stimulants, Cisapride. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Nov 1998, 308b-8c.
3. Offman EM, Freeman DJ, Dresser GK, et al. Red wine-cisapride interaction: comparison with grapefruit juice. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2001;70:17-23.
4. Threlkeld DS, ed. Gastrointestinal Drugs, GI Stimulants, Cisapride. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Nov 1998, 308b-8c.
5. Offman EM, Freeman DJ, Dresser GK, et al. Red wine-cisapride interaction: comparison with grapefruit juice. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2001;70:17-23.
6. Sorokin AV, Duncan B, Panetta R, Thompson PD. Rhabdomyolysis associated with pomegranate juice consumption. Am J Cardiol 2006;98:705-6.
7. Summers KM. Potential drug-food interactions with pomegranate juice. Ann Pharmacother 2006;40:1472-3.

---

Last Review: 09-01-2007

Copyright © 2007 Healthnotes, Inc.  All rights reserved. www.healthnotes.com

Please read the disclaimer about the limitations of the information provided here. Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article.

Learn more about Healthnotes, the company.

Learn more about the authors of Using Medicines with Vitamins and Herbs

The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires September 2008.

	Go to top of page
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.