Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the
medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is
a decision you and your doctor will make. For cisapride, the
following should be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual
or allergic reaction to cisapride. Also tell your health care
professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such
as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy—Cisapride has not been studied in pregnant women.
However, studies in animals have shown that cisapride causes
harm to the fetus. Before taking this medicine, make sure your
doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become
pregnant.
Breast-feeding— Cisapride passes into breast milk and may
cause unwanted effects in nursing babies, particularly if the
infant or mother are taking certain other medicines. Be sure
you have discussed the risks and benefits of this medicine
with your doctor.
Children— Cisapride can cause serious side effects in any
patient. Therefore, it is especially important that you
discuss with the child's doctor the good that this medicine
may do, as well as the risks of using it.
Older adults—Elderly people are especially sensitive to the
effects of cisapride. Cisapride stays in the body longer so
the dose may be different than in younger people.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be
used together at all, in other cases two different medicines
may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In
these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other
precautions may be necessary. When you are taking cisapride,
it is especially important that your health care professional
know if you are taking any of the following:
* Amantadine (e.g., Symmetrel) or
* Anticholinergics (medicine for abdominal or stomach spasms
or cramps) or
* Antidepressants (medicine for depression) or
* Antidyskinetics (medicine for Parkinson's disease or other
conditions affecting control of muscles) or
* Antihistamines, except cetirizine (e.g., Reactine), and
loratadine (e.g., Claritin) or
* Antipsychotics (medicine for mental illness) or
* Buclizine (e.g., Bucladin) or
* Carbamazepine (e.g., Tegretol) or
* Cyclizine (e.g., Marezine) or
* Cyclobenzaprine (e.g., Flexeril) or
* Disopyramide (e.g., Norpace) or
* Ipratropium (e.g., Atrovent) or
* Meclizine (e.g., Antivert) or
* Orphenadrine (e.g., Norflex) or
* Oxybutynin (e.g., Ditropan) or
* Promethazine (e.g., Phenergan) or
* Trimeprazine (e.g., Temaril)—Cisapride may decrease the
absorption of these medicines and cause them to be less
effective
* Bepridil (e.g., Bepadin, Vascor) or
* Bumetanide (e.g., Bumex) or
* Clarithromycin (e.g., Biaxin) or
* Erythromycin (e.g., E-Mycin) or
* Ethacrynic acid (e.g., Edecrin) or
* Fluconazole (e.g., Diflucan) or
* Furosemide (e.g., Lasix) or
* Indinavir (e.g., Crixivan) or
* Itraconazole (e.g., Sporanox) or
* Ketoconazole (e.g., Nizoral) or
* Miconazole (e.g., Monistat i.v.) or
* Nefazodone (e.g., Serzone) or
* Nelfinivir (e.g., Viracept) or
* Procainamide (e.g., Pronestyl) or
* Quinidine (e.g., Quinidex) or
* Ritonavir (e.g., Norvir) or
* Saquinavir (e.g., Invirase) or
* Sotalol (e.g., Betapace, Sotacor) or
* Sparfloxacin (e.g., Zagam) or
* Terodiline (e.g., Micturin) or
* Troleandomycin (e.g., Tao)—These medicines may increase the
chance of serious side effects and should not be taken with
cisapride
* Diuretics (water pills)—These medicines may increase the
chance of serious side effects from cisapride
Other medical problems—The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of cisapride. Make sure you tell
your doctor if you have any other medical problems,
especially:
* Abdominal or stomach bleeding or
* Intestinal blockage—Cisapride may make these conditions
worse
* Heart disease or
* Kidney disease, severe, or
* Low potassium blood levels or
* Lung disease, severe—Cisapride may cause an increased risk
of serious heart rhythm problems
Proper Use of This Medicine
Take this medicine 15 minutes before meals and at bedtime
with a beverage , unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may increase the effects of
cisapride by increasing the amount of this medicine in the
body. You should not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice
while you are taking this medicine.
Dosing—
The dose of cisapride will be different for different
patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the
label. The following information includes only the average
doses of cisapride. If your dose is different, do not change
it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
* For oral dosage forms (tablets and suspension):
o For heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux:
+ Adults and children 12 years of age and older—5 to 20
milligrams (mg) of cisapride two to four times a day.
Cisapride should be taken fifteen minutes before meals and at
bedtime.
+ Children up to 12 years of age—Dose is based on body weight
and must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually
0.15 to 0.3 mg of cisapride per kilogram (0.07 to 0.14 mg per
pound) of body weight three to four times a day, fifteen
minutes before meals.
Missed dose—
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as
possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing
schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage—
To store this medicine:
* Keep out of the reach of children.
* Store away from heat and direct light.
* Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in
other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to
break down.
* Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of
children.
Precautions While Using This Medicine
This medicine may cause your body to absorb alcohol more
quickly than you normally would. Therefore, you may notice the
effects sooner. Check with your doctor before drinking alcohol
while you are using this medicine .
This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy,
drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Make sure you
know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use
machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you
are dizzy or are not alert.
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some
unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may
occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if the following side
effect occurs:
* Rare
o Blurred vision or other changes in vision; convulsions
(seizures); dizziness; fainting or feeling faint; fast or
racing heartbeat ; pounding or irregular heartbeat; swelling
of face, hands, lower legs, and/or feet; unusual weight gain
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need
medical attention. These side effects may go away during
treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check
with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue
or are bothersome:
* Less common or rare
o Abdominal pain or cramping; constipation ; diarrhea;
drowsiness; dryness of mouth; gas; headache; heartburn or
indigestion; nausea; runny nose; tremor; unusual tiredness or
weakness
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some
patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your
doctor.
