Mosapride is a medication that can increase the frequency and intensity of bowel contractions. It is a gastrokinetic agent, a medication available for the treatment of lack of bowel motility. When the bowels contract infrequently and weakly, patients can develop medical issues like delayed gastric emptying. Mosapride is available by prescription only to treat this condition, and a doctor may use it in the treatment plan for a number of different medical conditions.
Irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux disease, and other conditions characterized by decreased gut motility can all benefit from mosapride therapy. When the patient takes the medication, the gut will contract more regularly and strongly. This encourages timely gastric emptying, as well as movement of food through the gut, allowing the body to metabolize it efficiently and effectively. The mosapride may be taken as part of a larger therapeutic plan or independently to see if it will resolve the problem.
Patients on this medication can experience side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, although it is usually well tolerated. A doctor may adjust the dosage as the patient starts to respond to the medication to find the most appropriate dosing for the patient's needs. It can take several days to adjust to a dosage change and the patient will need to provide feedback to the doctor so she can make decisions about whether to keep going or try a different dose or medication.
Mosapride should be kept in a cool, dry place out of the reach of other people. Patients may be advised to combine the medication with lifestyle changes like eating a series of small meals throughout the day, rather than one or two large ones, and exercising. Exercise can help people metabolize food faster, especially when it is paired with increased gut motility from drugs like mosapride.
Patients who continue to experience symptoms or who develop severe side effects may be switched to a different medication to see if it will be more effective. If this does not resolve the issue, other treatment options like surgery may need to be considered to address the patient's medical problem.
This medication is not sold worldwide. If a doctor would normally prescribe mosapride and it is not available, a pharmacist may have an alternative to recommend and the doctor can write a new prescription. People planning travel and concerned about medication availability can request an extra prescription to fill before they leave, ensuring availability of their medications during a trip.