Contra-indications to the use of cisapride include:
- gastrointestinal:
- mechanical obstruction
- perforation
- haemorrhage
- during pregnancy
- during breast feeding
- contra-indicated in premature infants (gestational age less than 36 weeks) for up to 3 months after birth. Furthermore, in children up to the age of 12 years, there are insufficient data to support the use of cisapride (1).
- patients with cardiac disease and those taking drugs such as erythromycin, fluconazole and terfinadine should avoid taking cisapride due to the risk of cardiac arrythmias including ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation and torsades de pointes (2)
Ref: (1) CSM/MCA (1998). Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance, 24, 1. (2) MeReC Bulletin (1998), Vol 9, No 11.