Cisapride is a medication used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Its spelling is based on the chemical naming convention of cis/trans isomerism, indicating the molecular structure of the drug. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced as /sɪsəpraɪd/. The "ci" is pronounced as "sis", and the "a" is pronounced as "ə". The emphasis is placed on the second syllable, "praɪd". The correct spelling of the word is crucial in pharmaceuticals to ensure accurate dispensing and administering of the medication.
Cisapride is a pharmaceutical compound that belongs to the class of medications called prokinetic agents. It is primarily used in the treatment of certain gastrointestinal disorders, specifically those that involve impaired or slow motility of the digestive system.
Cisapride works by enhancing the movements of the gastrointestinal tract, specifically by stimulating the smooth muscles of the digestive organs, such as the stomach and intestines. This action helps to improve the movement of food through the digestive system and aids in the emptying of the stomach. By doing so, cisapride can relieve symptoms associated with conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroparesis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The recommended usage of cisapride typically involves taking it orally, in the form of tablets or suspension, usually before meals. The dosage and duration of treatment depend on the specific condition being treated and the individual patient's needs, as determined by a healthcare professional.
It is important to note that cisapride was withdrawn from many markets worldwide due to concerns about its potential to prolong the QT interval (an electrical measurement of heart function) and cause serious, sometimes fatal, arrhythmias. Due to these risks, cisapride is generally no longer recommended for use as a first-line treatment and is accompanied by strict prescribing guidelines and contraindications. Additionally, its use is typically restricted to patients who have not responded to other safer treatment options or for whom alternative therapies are not feasible.
The word cisapride is derived from the combination of cis- and apride.
Cis- is a prefix derived from the Latin word cis, meaning on this side, on the same side, or near. It is used in chemistry to indicate a specific orientation or configuration of atoms or molecules.
The suffix -apride in cisapride comes from the name of the drug it is derived from, pride. The term pride in this context is believed to be a contraction of prokinetic drugs since cisapride is a prokinetic agent, which means it enhances gastrointestinal motility.
Therefore, the etymology of cisapride can be understood as on the same side or near apride, where apride is derived from prokinetic drugs.