Cisapride

Your child needs to take the medicine called cisapride (say: SIS-a-pride). This information sheet explains what cisapride does, how to give it, and what side effects or problems your child may have when he or she takes this medicine.

What is this medicine?

Cisapride is used to help the symptoms of certain types of stomach problems, such as heartburn. Cisapride speeds up stomach emptying and movement of food through the stomach and gut.

You may hear cisapride called by its brand name, Prepulsid®. Cisapride is available as a tablet. It has been taken off the market in Canada, but can still be obtained through the Health Canada Special Access Program.

Before giving this medicine to your child…

Tell your doctor if your child has:

• an allergy to cisapride

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• heart disease, especially heart rhythm problems. Cisapride may cause a higher risk of serious heart rhythm problems
• ulcers or bleeding from the stomach
• blockage in the intestines (gut)
• low potassium or calcium or magnesium blood levels
• kidney disease
• lung disease

How should you give your child this medicine?

Follow these instructions when you give your child cisapride:

• Give your child cisapride exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.
• Give your child cisapride at the same times every day. Pick times that are easy for you so that you do not miss doses.
• Give cisapride 15 to 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime with a full glass of water.
• If your child is given cisapride tablets, you may crush the tablet and mix the contents of the capsule with a glass of water or juice as long as your child drinks ALL the liquid immediately after mixing.
• Your child must not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while they are taking cisapride.

What should you do if your child misses a dose?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not give your child two doses to make up for one missed dose.

How long does this medicine take to work?

It may take several weeks before your child will feel the full benefit of this medication.

What are the possible side effects of this medicine?

Your child may have some of these side effects while he or she takes cisapride. Check with your child’s doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects, and they do not go away, or they bother your child:

• headache, lightheadedness, dizziness or drowsiness
• stomach pain
• watery bowel movements (diarrhea) or trouble having a bowel movement (constipation)
• dry mouth

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child’s doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• unexplained throwing up
• blurred vision or other changes in vision
• seizures
• fast or racing heartbeat
• pounding, irregular, or uneven heartbeat
• swelling of the face, hands, lower legs, and/or feet
• unusual weight gain

What safety measures should you take when your child is using this medicine?

Do not give grapefruit or grapefruit juice to your child while he/she is taking cisapride. There is risk of serious heart rhythm problems if cisapride and grapefruit are taken.

There are some medicines that should not be taken together with cisapride or in some cases the dose of cisapride or the other medicine may need to be adjusted. It is important that you tell your doctor and pharmacist if your child takes any other medications (prescription, over the counter, or herbal), including:

• heart medicines including amiodarone and digoxin
• antibiotics including erythromycin, clarithromycin
• antifungals including fluconazole, ketoconazole
• certain antihistamines
• warfarin

What other important information should you know?

Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.

Do not share your child’s medicine with others and do not give anyone else’s medicine to your child.

Make sure you always have enough cisapride to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least 1 week before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.

Keep cisapride at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen.

Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.

Keep cisapride out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much cisapride, call the Ontario Poison Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free.

• Call 416-813-5900 if you live in Toronto.
• Call 1-800-268-9017 if you live somewhere else in Ontario.
• If you live outside of Ontario, call your local Poison Information Centre.

Disclaimer: The information in this Family Med-aid is accurate at the time of printing. It provides a summary of information about cisapride and does not contain all possible information about this medicine. Not all side effects are listed. If you have any questions or want more information about cisapride, speak to your healthcare provider.

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