Importance of the field: Chronic constipation has a high prevalence, and current medical and pharmacological therapies do not restore normal bowel function in all patients.
Areas covered in the review: A PubMed search (1965 - 2009) using the following terms alone or in combination: prucalopride, 5-HT(4), R093877, safety, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, transit, cardiac, hERG, arrhythmia, potassium current, elderly.
What the reader will gain: Understanding of the mechanisms of action, safety, efficacy and indications for prucalopride in patients with chronic constipation.
Take home message: Prucalopride is an efficacious and generally safe, new therapeutic option in the management of chronic constipation.