Dexpanthenol (Ro 01-4709) in the treatment of constipation

Acta Vitaminol Enzymol. 1982;4(1-2):87-97.

Abstract

Functional constipation is not a life-threatening disease, but as a chronic state it worries the patient and causes him discomfort and often leads him to self-medication with potentially dangerous drugs. Ro 01-4709 contains as active substance dexpanthenol, which is the alcohol of pantothenic acid, a vitamin of the B-complex. In the cells, dexpanthenol is readily oxidized to pantothenic acid, which stimulates peristalsis when administered in therapeutically effective doses. Ro 01-4709 has already proven its efficacy in the prevention and treatment of adynamic ileus. Recently, several open and two double-blind studies have been carried out, investigating the efficacy of oral Ro 01-4709 in the treatment of chronic functional constipation. The two double-blind studies showed Ro 01-4709 to be superior to placebo in all parameters measured. The studies with an open design also demonstrated a favourable effect of Ro 01-4709 in the treatment of chronic functional constipation. Owing to its physiological action-which is in a favourable contrast to that of normal laxatives. Ro 01-4709 can be recommended for the treatment of functional constipation in pregnant women, children and the elderly.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abdomen
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Colonic Diseases / drug therapy
  • Constipation / drug therapy*
  • Diarrhea / chemically induced
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Flatulence / drug therapy
  • Gastrointestinal Motility / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Pain / chemically induced
  • Pantothenic Acid / adverse effects
  • Pantothenic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Pantothenic Acid / metabolism
  • Pantothenic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Pantothenic Acid
  • dexpanthenol