Cisapride in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: effects on oesophageal motility and intra-oesophageal pH.

Since gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is due to disturbances of oesophageal motility, motor and pH measurements are an important means to test a new anti-reflux drug, cisapride. In oesophageal manometry cisapride increased the pressure of the lower oesophageal sphincter in healthy volunteers and patients, and in the majority of studies it also strengthened the amplitude of oesophageal contractions. Cisapride lowered the total duration of acid exposure in the lower oesophagus in both volunteers and reflux patients. Thus cisapride may be useful in the treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.