Cisapride availability in the UK

[RWAF]

It has been brought to our attention recently that people are finding it difficult to obtain Cisapride. This statement from RWAF vet expert advisor Richard Saunders BSc Hons BVSc MSB CBiol DZooMed (Mammalian) MCRVS should make the present situation clear

“Your vet can obtain cisapride from abroad, but this requires a certain amount of paperwork and delay, and is done on a “named patient basis” ie only for a specific rabbit, which means that it is difficult to hold it in stock, to start treatment immediately. There is now a UK source, which allows for more rapid ordering and less delay in getting the drug in, and allows vets to stock it for urgent situations. At present this is only available in tablet form, but it can be converted into liquid form by another company. This can be done as required, or vets can hold the liquid in stock for emergencies. Bear in mind that vets are often reluctant to do so as such medications may, if not used frequently, go out of date, and so tablets, which can be given directly to rabbits, or crushed and administered mixed with food or other carrier substances, are often more practical. The suspension may be a good option in chronic cases where rabbits need the drug on a less urgent, longer term basis, and owners are finding it more difficult to give medication in tablet form”

[Sarita]

They’ve removed this drug from the human market in the US as well but is used regularly in the vet field. Makes me wonder if it will be more difficult to obtain in the US as well.

Thank you for the update on obtaining this in the UK.

[KatnipCrzy]

Cisapride/Propulsid used to be used on the human side for drugs but when it was removed from human use it became very difficult to get for pets. As far as I know it is now available thru special compounding pharmacies for pet use. So at one time before compounding pharmacies realized the market/need for this drug for pets it probably went thru a period where it was unobtainable. So it is not easily accessable- but it is possible for vets to get. Metoclopramide/Reglan is often used for gut motility now instead though it affects a different part of the gut than Cisapride.

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