Expert: Dr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi - 1/29/2004

Question
Dear Dr,
I suffer from early morning heartburn and was given prepulsid 5mg ( Janssen) twice a day. I have heard that the drug is banned in Canada and the FDA in US too has issued caution.  I am not sure how far this is true.I live in Malaysia and regulations on drugs are not strict. Please advise on the latest detail on this drug. Is there any other motility stimulant drug is safer?

Answer
Hi Ron,
Yes Propulsid contains Cisapride, banned in a number of countries including India. The drug causes serious conduction problems in the heart and has led to anumber of deaths. We too used to manuyfacture the drug but have stopped both selling and exporting the drug.
There ia new drug known as Mosapride available in India, this is similar to cisapride in action but is without any effect on the heart. Please cehck if this drug or Itopride is available in Malyasia, you can safely take either of these.
Regards
Ravi Ghooi