Prucalopride STADA
Prucalopride succinate — Gastrointestinal prokinetic for chronic constipation
Prucalopride STADA is a prescription medicine used to treat chronic constipation in adults when standard laxatives have not provided sufficient relief. It contains the active substance prucalopride, a highly selective 5-HT4 receptor agonist that stimulates colonic motility to restore normal bowel function. This comprehensive guide covers dosage, side effects, drug interactions, and important safety information based on international clinical evidence.
Quick Facts
Key Takeaways
- Prucalopride STADA is used for chronic constipation in adults when standard laxatives have failed, acting as a selective 5-HT4 receptor agonist to restore normal bowel motility.
- The standard adult dose is 2 mg once daily, with a reduced starting dose of 1 mg for patients over 65 years, those with severe liver disease, or severe kidney impairment.
- The most common side effects are headache, nausea, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain, which typically occur early in treatment and resolve within a few days.
- Prucalopride must not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and women of childbearing potential should use reliable contraception during treatment.
- The medicine is contraindicated in patients with kidney failure requiring dialysis, intestinal perforation or obstruction, and severe inflammatory bowel conditions.
What Is Prucalopride STADA and What Is It Used For?
Prucalopride belongs to a class of medicines known as gastrointestinal prokinetic agents. Specifically, it is a highly selective serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonist. Unlike older prokinetic agents that acted on multiple serotonin receptor subtypes, prucalopride selectively targets 5-HT4 receptors located on enteric neurons in the gut wall. This selectivity is a key pharmacological advantage, as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular side effects that were associated with earlier, less selective agents such as cisapride and tegaserod.
Chronic constipation is a prevalent gastrointestinal condition affecting approximately 14% of the global adult population, with higher prevalence among women and older adults. It is characterised by infrequent bowel movements (typically fewer than three per week), hard or lumpy stools, excessive straining, a sensation of incomplete evacuation, and the need for manual manoeuvres to facilitate defecation. When these symptoms persist for three months or longer, the condition is classified as chronic constipation according to the Rome IV diagnostic criteria.
Prucalopride is indicated specifically for patients whose chronic constipation has not responded adequately to at least two different classes of laxatives used at maximum tolerated doses for at least six months. By activating 5-HT4 receptors on neurons within the myenteric plexus and submucosal plexus, prucalopride enhances the physiological peristaltic reflex. This results in stimulation of colonic high-amplitude propagating contractions (also known as mass movements), which accelerate colonic transit time and increase the frequency of spontaneous complete bowel movements.
Clinical trials, including the pivotal Phase III studies (PRU-INT-6, PRU-USA-11, and PRU-INT-12), demonstrated that prucalopride significantly increased the proportion of patients achieving three or more spontaneous complete bowel movements per week compared to placebo. The onset of action is typically rapid, with many patients experiencing their first bowel movement within 24 to 48 hours of starting therapy. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) first approved prucalopride (marketed as Resolor) in 2009, and STADA Arzneimittel AG subsequently received marketing authorisation for Prucalopride STADA as a generic formulation.
What Should You Know Before Taking Prucalopride STADA?
Contraindications
There are several important situations in which prucalopride must not be used. Understanding these contraindications is essential for safe use of this medication. You should not take Prucalopride STADA in any of the following circumstances:
- You are allergic to prucalopride or any of the other ingredients in this medicine (listed in the Ingredients section below).
- You have kidney failure that requires dialysis.
- You have intestinal perforation (a hole in the bowel wall) or intestinal obstruction (a blockage in the bowel).
- You have severe inflammation of the digestive tract, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or toxic megacolon/megarectum.
The contraindication in patients requiring dialysis is based on the fact that prucalopride is primarily excreted renally (approximately 60% of an oral dose is recovered unchanged in urine). In patients with end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis, drug accumulation could occur to a degree that has not been adequately studied for safety. Similarly, the use of prucalopride in patients with intestinal obstruction or perforation could worsen these conditions by increasing intestinal motility in an already compromised bowel.
Warnings and Precautions
Even if you do not have a contraindicated condition, there are several situations that warrant special caution. Talk to your doctor before taking Prucalopride STADA if any of the following apply to you:
- Severe kidney disease: Patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min) who are not on dialysis may still use prucalopride, but the starting dose should be reduced to 1 mg once daily. Renal function should be monitored regularly.
- Severe liver disease: Although prucalopride undergoes limited hepatic metabolism, patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C) should start with a reduced dose of 1 mg once daily and be monitored carefully. Clinical data in this population are limited.
- Serious medical conditions under active medical supervision: Inform your doctor if you are being monitored for any serious medical problem, including lung disease, heart disease, neurological disorders, psychiatric conditions, cancer, HIV/AIDS, or endocrine disorders. Clinical experience in these populations may be limited.
- Cardiovascular disease: Although prucalopride has shown a favourable cardiovascular safety profile in clinical studies and thorough QT/QTc studies, patients with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions should be monitored. Unlike earlier prokinetics, prucalopride does not significantly affect the hERG potassium channel at therapeutic concentrations.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Prucalopride should not be used during pregnancy. Animal reproductive toxicity studies have shown adverse effects on embryo-foetal development at doses exceeding the recommended human dose. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of prucalopride in pregnant women. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or suspect you may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
Women of childbearing potential must use effective contraception while taking prucalopride. If you become pregnant during treatment, discontinue the medicine and contact your healthcare provider promptly for advice on alternative management of your constipation.
Prucalopride is excreted in human breast milk. Because of the potential for adverse effects on the nursing infant, breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with prucalopride. Discuss with your doctor whether to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the medicine, taking into account the importance of the medicine to the mother.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Prucalopride is unlikely to significantly impair your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, the medicine can occasionally cause dizziness and fatigue, particularly during the first day of treatment. If you experience these side effects, avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how prucalopride affects you. You are responsible for assessing your own fitness to drive or perform tasks requiring alertness.
How Does Prucalopride STADA Interact with Other Drugs?
Prucalopride has a favourable drug interaction profile compared to many other gastrointestinal medicines. It is not significantly metabolised by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system and does not inhibit or induce major CYP isoenzymes at clinically relevant concentrations. However, prucalopride is a substrate for P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transport, which means certain P-gp inhibitors can increase its plasma levels.
Clinical pharmacokinetic studies have shown that co-administration with the potent P-gp inhibitor ketoconazole (200 mg twice daily) increased the area under the curve (AUC) of prucalopride by approximately 40% and the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) by approximately 37%. While these changes are not considered clinically significant in most patients, caution may be warranted when combining prucalopride with potent P-gp inhibitors in patients who also have renal or hepatic impairment.
In formal interaction studies, co-administration with erythromycin (a moderate CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibitor) or paroxetine (a potent CYP2D6 inhibitor) did not produce clinically meaningful changes in prucalopride pharmacokinetics. No dose adjustment is needed when using these medications concomitantly.
Clinically Relevant Interactions
| Interacting Drug | Type | Effect | Clinical Advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral contraceptives | Indirect | Severe diarrhoea may reduce absorption and efficacy of oral contraceptives | Use additional contraceptive method if experiencing severe diarrhoea |
| Ketoconazole | P-gp inhibitor | Increases prucalopride AUC by ~40% | Monitor for adverse effects; caution in renal/hepatic impairment |
| Verapamil | P-gp inhibitor | May increase prucalopride plasma levels | Use caution; monitor for side effects |
| Cyclosporine | P-gp inhibitor | May increase prucalopride plasma levels | Clinical monitoring recommended |
| Quinidine | P-gp inhibitor | May increase prucalopride plasma levels | Clinical monitoring recommended |
| Erythromycin | CYP3A4/P-gp inhibitor | No clinically significant interaction observed | No dose adjustment needed |
| Paroxetine | CYP2D6 inhibitor | No clinically significant interaction observed | No dose adjustment needed |
Prucalopride can be taken with or without food, and there are no known interactions with alcohol. However, as with any medication, it is prudent to exercise moderation with alcohol consumption. Always inform your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking, have recently taken, or might take, including over-the-counter medicines, herbal products, and dietary supplements.
What Is the Correct Dosage of Prucalopride STADA?
Always take Prucalopride STADA exactly as described in the patient information leaflet or as your doctor has instructed. If you are unsure about any aspect of your dosage, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medicine every day for as long as your doctor has prescribed it.
Adults (18–65 years)
Standard Adult Dose
One 2 mg film-coated tablet taken once daily by mouth, with or without food. The tablet may be taken at any time of day, but taking it at the same time each day is recommended to help maintain consistent drug levels and establish a routine.
Elderly Patients (over 65 years)
Elderly Starting Dose
One 1 mg film-coated tablet once daily. Your doctor may increase the dose to 2 mg once daily if the lower dose does not provide sufficient relief and is well tolerated. Age-related decline in renal function and altered drug distribution may necessitate this lower starting dose to minimise the risk of adverse effects.
Severe Kidney Disease
Renal Impairment Dose
One 1 mg film-coated tablet once daily for patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 30 mL/min) who are not on dialysis. As prucalopride is primarily excreted by the kidneys (approximately 60% unchanged in urine), reduced renal clearance leads to higher plasma concentrations. Prucalopride is contraindicated in patients on dialysis.
Severe Liver Disease
Hepatic Impairment Dose
One 1 mg film-coated tablet once daily as the starting dose for patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Class C). Your doctor may increase the dose to 2 mg once daily based on clinical response and tolerability. No dose adjustment is required for patients with mild to moderate liver disease.
| Patient Group | Starting Dose | Maximum Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults (18–65 years) | 2 mg once daily | 2 mg once daily | Standard dose; assess benefit after 4 weeks |
| Elderly (>65 years) | 1 mg once daily | 2 mg once daily | Increase if well tolerated and needed |
| Severe renal impairment | 1 mg once daily | 1 mg once daily | Contraindicated if on dialysis |
| Severe hepatic impairment | 1 mg once daily | 2 mg once daily | Limited clinical data; monitor closely |
| Children (<18 years) | Not recommended | N/A | Safety and efficacy not established |
Your doctor will want to assess your condition and the benefit of continued treatment after the first four weeks and then at regular intervals thereafter. Taking a higher dose than recommended does not improve the effect of the medicine but may increase the risk of side effects.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dose of Prucalopride STADA, do not take a double dose to compensate. Simply take your next dose at the usual time. Maintaining a consistent daily routine can help prevent missed doses. Consider setting a daily reminder or taking your tablet alongside another daily activity, such as a meal.
Overdose
If you take more prucalopride than prescribed, you may experience diarrhoea, headache, and/or nausea. If diarrhoea occurs, ensure that you drink sufficient fluids to prevent dehydration, particularly water and electrolyte solutions. Contact your doctor, local hospital emergency department, or poison control centre immediately for assessment and advice. There is no specific antidote for prucalopride overdose; treatment is supportive and symptomatic.
Stopping Treatment
If you stop taking prucalopride, your constipation symptoms are likely to return. Do not stop taking this medicine without first consulting your doctor. If you have any further questions about the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What Are the Side Effects of Prucalopride STADA?
Like all medicines, Prucalopride STADA can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. Side effects are most likely to appear at the beginning of treatment and generally diminish within a few days as your body adjusts to the medicine. If any side effect becomes severe or persistent, or if you notice any effect not listed below, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
The safety profile of prucalopride has been extensively characterised in clinical trials involving more than 2,700 patients with chronic constipation. The overall safety data demonstrate a well-tolerated medication with most adverse effects being mild to moderate in intensity and transient in nature. Below is a comprehensive overview of reported side effects, organised by frequency category according to the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) classification system.
Very Common
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal (stomach) pain
Common
- Decreased appetite
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Dyspepsia (indigestion)
- Flatulence (wind)
- Abnormal bowel sounds
- Fatigue (tiredness)
Uncommon
- Tremor
- Palpitations (awareness of heartbeat)
- Rectal bleeding
- Increased urination frequency (pollakiuria)
- Fever
- Malaise (general feeling of being unwell)
Rare & Post-Marketing
- Allergic reactions (rash, itching, urticaria)
- Ischaemic colitis (reported post-marketing)
Headache is the most frequently reported adverse effect, occurring in approximately 25–30% of patients in clinical trials, predominantly within the first 24 hours of treatment. In most cases, it is mild to moderate in severity and resolves spontaneously or with standard analgesics. Gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain are also common at the start of treatment and reflect the pharmacological mechanism of action of the medicine.
- Palpitations: If you become aware of your heartbeat racing, fluttering, or beating irregularly, inform your doctor promptly. Although cardiovascular events are uncommon, they require evaluation.
- Severe abdominal pain with bloody stools: This could indicate ischaemic colitis, a rare but serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
- Signs of allergic reaction: Rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help.
- Severe or persistent diarrhoea: This can lead to dehydration, particularly in elderly patients or those with kidney disease. Ensure adequate fluid intake and contact your doctor.
In controlled clinical trials, the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events was similar between prucalopride and placebo groups. A thorough QT/QTc study demonstrated that prucalopride does not prolong the QT interval at therapeutic (2 mg) or supratherapeutic (10 mg) doses. This cardiovascular safety profile distinguishes prucalopride from earlier prokinetic agents that were withdrawn from some markets due to cardiac safety concerns.
How Should You Store Prucalopride STADA?
Proper storage of your medicine is essential to maintain its effectiveness and safety throughout its shelf life. Follow these storage guidelines to ensure your Prucalopride STADA tablets remain in optimal condition:
- Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Store medicines in a safe, secure location where children cannot access them.
- Check the expiry date. Do not use Prucalopride STADA after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the blister and the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of the indicated month.
- No special temperature requirements. This medicine can be stored at room temperature. However, avoid extreme temperatures and do not store in direct sunlight.
- Store in the original packaging. Keep the tablets in their original blister packaging to protect them from moisture, as the medicine is moisture-sensitive.
- Proper disposal. Do not dispose of medicines via wastewater or household waste. Return unused or expired medicines to your pharmacist for proper disposal. These measures help protect the environment.
If you notice any change in the appearance of your tablets, such as discolouration, crumbling, or an unusual smell, do not take them. Contact your pharmacist for replacement and to confirm proper disposal of the affected tablets.
What Does Prucalopride STADA Contain?
Understanding the composition of your medicine is important, particularly if you have known allergies or intolerances to specific pharmaceutical excipients. Below is a complete list of ingredients in Prucalopride STADA:
Active Substance
- Prucalopride STADA 1 mg: Each film-coated tablet contains 1 mg of prucalopride (as succinate).
- Prucalopride STADA 2 mg: Each film-coated tablet contains 2 mg of prucalopride (as succinate).
Other Ingredients (Excipients)
The following inactive ingredients are used in the tablet core and film coating:
- Lactose monohydrate (see section on lactose content)
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Colloidal anhydrous silica (silicon dioxide)
- Magnesium stearate
- Hypromellose (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose)
- Polysorbate 80
- Macrogol (polyethylene glycol)
- Titanium dioxide (E171)
- Red iron oxide (E172) — 2 mg tablets only
Tablet Appearance and Pack Sizes
1 mg tablets: White to off-white, round, film-coated tablets marked with “C” on one side and “11” on the other side.
2 mg tablets: Pink, round, film-coated tablets marked with “C” on one side and “12” on the other side.
Prucalopride STADA is available in blister packs containing 7, 14, 28, 30, or 84 film-coated tablets, or in perforated unit-dose blisters of 7 × 1, 14 × 1, 28 × 1, 30 × 1, or 84 × 1 film-coated tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed in your country.
Manufacturer
Prucalopride STADA is manufactured by STADA Arzneimittel AG, Stadastrasse 2-18, 61118 Bad Vilbel, Germany. Additional manufacturing is performed by Chanelle Medical, Loughrea, Co. Galway, Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prucalopride STADA is used to treat chronic constipation in adults when laxatives have not provided adequate relief. It contains the active substance prucalopride, a selective 5-HT4 receptor agonist that stimulates intestinal motility to restore normal bowel function. The medicine promotes colonic mass movements and accelerates transit time through the large bowel. It is not approved for use in children or adolescents under 18 years of age.
Prucalopride typically begins to take effect within the first 24 to 48 hours of starting treatment. Clinical trials showed that a significant proportion of patients experienced their first spontaneous bowel movement within this time frame. Your doctor will evaluate the effectiveness of treatment after the first four weeks. If there is no meaningful improvement, your doctor may reconsider the treatment plan.
Yes, prucalopride can be taken with or without food at any time of day. Food does not significantly affect the absorption or bioavailability of prucalopride. However, taking the tablet at the same time each day is recommended to help you remember and to maintain consistent drug levels in your body.
Clinical studies have evaluated the safety of prucalopride for up to 18 months of continuous treatment. The results showed a consistent safety profile with no emergence of new safety concerns over time. The most common side effects tend to occur early in treatment and diminish with continued use. Your doctor will periodically reassess the benefit of continued treatment and adjust your therapy as needed.
Prucalopride STADA and Resolor both contain the same active substance, prucalopride, and are therapeutically equivalent. Resolor was the original brand-name product developed by Shire (now part of Takeda). Prucalopride STADA is a generic formulation manufactured by STADA Arzneimittel AG. Both products have been approved by the European Medicines Agency and must meet the same quality, safety, and efficacy standards. Other generic versions, such as Prucalopride Evolan, are also available in some markets.
Prucalopride should not be taken by people who are allergic to prucalopride or any of its other ingredients, those with kidney failure requiring dialysis, or individuals with intestinal perforation, obstruction, or severe inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, toxic megacolon/megarectum). It is also not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or for children under 18 years of age.
References
This article is based on the following peer-reviewed sources, regulatory documents, and clinical guidelines:
- European Medicines Agency (EMA). Resolor (prucalopride) — Summary of Product Characteristics. First authorised 2009, last updated 2024. Available at: www.ema.europa.eu
- Camilleri M, Kerstens R, Rykx A, Vandeplassche L. A placebo-controlled trial of prucalopride for severe chronic constipation. New England Journal of Medicine. 2008;358(22):2344-2354. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0800670
- Tack J, van Outryve M, Beyens G, Kerstens R, Vandeplassche L. Prucalopride (Resolor) in the treatment of severe chronic constipation in patients dissatisfied with laxatives. Gut. 2009;58(3):357-365. doi:10.1136/gut.2008.162404
- Quigley EMM, Vandeplassche L, Kerstens R, Ausma J. Clinical trial: the efficacy, impact on quality of life, and safety and tolerability of prucalopride in severe chronic constipation. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2009;29(3):315-328. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03884.x
- World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 23rd List (2023). Geneva: WHO; 2023.
- British National Formulary (BNF). Prucalopride monograph. London: BMJ Group and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society; 2024.
- Mearin F, Lacy BE, Chang L, et al. Bowel Disorders (Rome IV). Gastroenterology. 2016;150(6):1393-1407. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2016.02.031
- Bouras EP, Camilleri M, Burton DD, Thomforde GM, McKinzie S, Zinsmeister AR. Prucalopride accelerates gastrointestinal and colonic transit in patients with constipation without a rectal evacuation disorder. Gastroenterology. 2001;120(2):354-360. doi:10.1053/gast.2001.21166
- Mendzelevski B, Ausma J, Chanter DO, Robinson P, Kerstens R, Vandeplassche L. Assessment of the cardiac safety of prucalopride in healthy volunteers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo- and positive-controlled thorough QT study. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2012;73(2):203-209. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2011.04078.x
- Ford AC, Suares NC. Effect of laxatives and pharmacological therapies in chronic idiopathic constipation: systematic review and meta-analysis. Gut. 2011;60(2):209-218. doi:10.1136/gut.2010.227132
Editorial Team
This article was written and reviewed by the iMedic Medical Editorial Team, comprising licensed physicians with specialisations in gastroenterology and clinical pharmacology.
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