Cisapride was withdrawn from market due to?
**Core Concept:** Cisapride is a selective serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonist used for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and dyspepsia. It enhances gastric motility and reduces gastric emptying time. However, it can cause serious side effects, primarily due to its interaction with the cardiovascular system.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** Cisapride was withdrawn from the market due to its association with a severe side effect known as QT interval prolongation and an increased risk of torsades de pointes (TdP), a type of life-threatening arrhythmia. This occurs because cisapride enhances the release of catecholamines, particularly norepinephrine, which leads to a prolonged QT interval on the electrocardiogram (ECG).
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. This option is incorrect because cisapride does not cause any significant effect on the cardiovascular system compared to the correct answer.
B. This option is incorrect because it does not address the primary issue associated with cisapride, which is QT interval prolongation and arrhythmias.
C. This option is incorrect because it does not explain the mechanism of cisapride's side effects, which are mainly due to its interaction with the cardiovascular system.
D. This option is incorrect because it does not mention the specific side effect associated with cisapride, which is QT interval prolongation and arrhythmias.
**Clinical Pearl:** When prescribing medications, it is essential to consider potential drug interactions and side effects, particularly those involving the cardiovascular system. Monitoring ECG and electrolyte levels is crucial when using medications that can cause QT interval prolongation, like cisapride, to detect and manage any adverse reactions promptly.