Effects of cisapride on oesophageal transit of solids in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.

In most patients with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) the oesophagus is affected. Reflux symptoms are most frequent, whilst dysphagia also occurs. Cisapride, a prokinetic agent, may enhance motility along the gastrointestinal tract. The effects of cisapride on oesophageal transit were evaluated in 12 PSS patient using a solid-phase radionuclide oesophageal transit study. Each PSS patient was given cisapride 10 mg or placebo orally three times a day in a random, double-blind, crossover fashion. The results show that cisapride does not seem to have any impact on oesophageal transit in patients with PSS.