Dexpanthenol (Ro 01-4709) in the treatment of constipation.
Functional constipation is not a life-threatening disease, but as a chronic state it worries the patient and causes him discomfort and often leads him to self-medication with potentially dangerous drugs. Ro 01-4709 contains as active substance dexpanthenol, which is the alcohol of pantothenic acid, a vitamin of the B-complex. In the cells, dexpanthenol is readily oxidized to pantothenic acid, which stimulates peristalsis when administered in therapeutically effective doses. Ro 01-4709 has already proven its efficacy in the prevention and treatment of adynamic ileus. Recently, several open and two double-blind studies have been carried out, investigating the efficacy of oral Ro 01-4709 in the treatment of chronic functional constipation. The two double-blind studies showed Ro 01-4709 to be superior to placebo in all parameters measured. The studies with an open design also demonstrated a favourable effect of Ro 01-4709 in the treatment of chronic functional constipation. Owing to its physiological action-which is in a favourable contrast to that of normal laxatives. Ro 01-4709 can be recommended for the treatment of functional constipation in pregnant women, children and the elderly.
D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005414:Flatulence / Q000188:drug therapy; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D010205:Pantothenic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy
D010205:Pantothenic Acid; C007288:dexpanthenol