Prokinetics in diabetic gastroparesis

Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2012 Aug;14(4):297-305. doi: 10.1007/s11894-012-0275-3.

Abstract

Within the last 50 years, diabetic gastroparesis has become a well recognized complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is a syndrome characterized by abnormal gastric function, resulting in delayed emptying of the stomach in the absence of any evident mechanical obstruction, predominantly manifested by early satiety, postprandial fullness, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. The past five years have shown significant advances in its pathophysiology and in new diagnostic tests. Prokinetic medications remain the therapeutic focus for improving clinical symptoms of gastroparesis through enhanced gastric emptying. This article summarizes the present knowledge of prokinetics, with emphasis on medications currently available, as well as drugs under clinical investigation, including some agents in advanced clinical trials that are likely to be used in the treatment of diabetic gastroparesis in the future. These include the ghrelin agonists and newer 5-HT4 agonists devoid of cardiac side effects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiemetics / therapeutic use
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / drug therapy*
  • Diabetic Neuropathies / physiopathology
  • Gastric Emptying / drug effects
  • Gastrointestinal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Gastroparesis / drug therapy*
  • Gastroparesis / physiopathology
  • Humans

Substances

  • Antiemetics
  • Gastrointestinal Agents