prucalopride
Motegrity (prucalopride) is used to treat long-term constipation from an unknown cause in adults. It belongs to the drug class called serotonin-4 receptor agonists, which work by stimulating your gut to move. It's taken by mouth once a day and might have interactions with many medications. Motegrity (prucalopride) might be prescribed off-label for gastroparesis when other medications are not working well. The most common side effects are headache, stomach pain, and nausea.
What is Motegrity (prucalopride)?
What is Motegrity (prucalopride) used for?
- Chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in adults
How Motegrity (prucalopride) works
Motegrity (prucalopride) is a serotonin-4 receptor agonist. It works on serotonin receptors (or proteins) in your colon to start natural muscle contractions. This helps push food through your digestive tract, making it easier for stool to pass.
Drug facts
Side effects of Motegrity (prucalopride)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache (19%)
- Stomach pain (16%)
- Nausea (14%)
- Diarrhea (13%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Bloating, swollen stomach
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Passing gas
- Tiredness
Motegrity (prucalopride) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Suicidal thoughts and behavior
- Severe allergic reaction: shortness of breath, rash, itching, hives, swelling in the face
The following Motegrity (prucalopride) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
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Pros and cons of Motegrity (prucalopride)
Pros
- Works differently than other medications used to treat CIC
- Stimulates your gut within 12 hours
- Helps to normalize the number of complete bowel movements per week
- Only taken once a day by mouth
Cons
- Can cause unusual changes in mood or behavior
- Unknown if it's safe or works well in children
- Might interact with many medications
- Not a first-choice medication for CIC
Pharmacist tips for Motegrity (prucalopride)
- Take Motegrity (prucalopride) by mouth with or without food once daily.
- If you have kidney problems, Motegrity (prucalopride) can build up in your body and can cause more side effects. Your prescriber might prescribe you a lower dose.
- Diarrhea and headache are common side effects of Motegrity (prucalopride). These typically occur within the first week of treatment and will go away within a few days of continued use.
- Changes in behavior and mood are serious side effects of Motegrity (prucalopride). It's important to let your prescriber know if you have any symptoms of depression or thoughts of self harm.
- Remember to follow up with your gastroenterologist regularly. Based on your bowel habits, you and your prescriber should discuss whether you still need to take Motegrity (prucalopride).
- If you were taking laxatives on a regular basis, ask your gastroenterologist if you should continue taking them when you start Motegrity (prucalopride).
- To get the best results from Motegrity (prucalopride), try to prevent constipation by drinking lots of water and eating plenty of fruits and vegetables for fiber. For more tips on how to prevent constipation, talk to your gastroenterologist.
- There isn't enough information to know if Motegrity (prucalopride) is safe to take during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Contact your prescriber if you become pregnant while taking this medication. There's a registry that monitors the health of you and your baby.
- Store Motegrity (prucalopride) in the original container. This will help protect the tablets from moisture.
Common questions about Motegrity (prucalopride)
In people with healthy kidneys, Motegrity (prucalopride) typically stays in your system for about 4 to 5 days. But, it might take longer for Motegrity (prucalopride) to leave your body if you have kidney problems. This time frame is based on the medication's half-life.
No, Motegrity (prucalopride) isn't currently used as an antidepressant. Some research shows that the serotonin signaling proteins Motegrity (prucalopride) specifically affects might be involved in depression. But more studies are needed to know if Motegrity (prucalopride) works as an antidepressant.
There isn't a specific amount of time that you can take Motegrity (prucalopride). Your prescriber might recommend that you take it as long as it's helping your symptoms and you aren't having side effects. Motegrity (prucalopride) has been studied for treating CIC for up to 24 weeks in adults. Ask your prescriber how long you should take this medication.
You can take Motegrity (prucalopride) at any time. Be sure to take it at the same time each day so the medication levels stay consistent in your body. To help you remember to take your dose each day, consider setting an alarm.
There isn't enough information to know if Linzess (linaclotide) and Motegrity (prucalopride) are safe to take together. Although these medications work differently to treat constipation, taking them together can lead to more side effects such as diarrhea. Work with your gastroenterologist to come up with a treatment plan, and discuss which medications are safe to take together.
Not usually. Weight gain wasn't reported as a side effect during clinical studies of Motegrity (prucalopride). If you notice changes in your weight, contact your prescriber.
Hair loss isn't typically a common side effect of Motegrity (prucalopride). Talk to your prescriber if you experience hair thinning or hair loss so they can help you determine the cause.
Motegrity (prucalopride) isn't FDA approved to treat gastroparesis (a condition that slows down the movement of food in your gut). But it's sometimes prescribed off-label when other preferred medications aren't working. Research is mixed when it comes to how well works to improve symptoms of gastroparesis.
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Risks and warnings for Motegrity (prucalopride)
Motegrity (prucalopride) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Suicidal thoughts and behavior
Motegrity (prucalopride) can raise the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Watch for new or worsening depression and suicidal thoughts or behavior, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. Let your prescriber know right away if you notice any unusual changes in mood or behavior while taking this medication, you'll likely need to stop taking it.
Motegrity (prucalopride) dosage
Typical dosage for Motegrity (prucalopride)
The typical dose is 2 mg by mouth once daily.
Your dose might be lowered if you have severe kidney problems.
How much does Motegrity (prucalopride) cost?
Motegrity (prucalopride) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Motegrity (prucalopride) will not be safe for you to take.
Intestinal tear or blockage due to:
- Problems in the gut wall
- Obstructive ileus
- Severe inflammatory conditions of the gut such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and toxic megacolon/megarectum
What are alternatives to Motegrity (prucalopride)?
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