Resolor (prucalopride) is a gut motility agent prescribed to patients with chronic constipation for whom regular laxatives do not produce sufficient results. Though it shares some properties with some laxatives, Resolor is not a laxative and will not cause patients to develop dependency on it in order to have a bowel movement.

If working as intended, patients taking Resolor should completely eliminate their bowels at least three times per week. This is done without the strain, pain, and other discomforts associated with chronic constipation, and generally provides a significant boost to quality of life.

Resolor is intended for patients age 18 and up; younger patients should avoid this medication unless explicitly approved by a doctor.

This product should be avoided if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Dosage & Administration

Resolor comes in tablets of 1 mg or 2 mg strengths. A dose is taken each day. Food and drink is optional with each dose, though food may ease gastrointestinal side effects if experienced.

Otherwise healthy patients are usually started on 2 mg per day. Patients with other medical conditions, taking other medications, or over 65 years of age may be started on half-doses of 1 mg per day. In most cases a half-dose can be increased if well tolerated, and if needed, to a full dose.

Rarely some patients are instructed to take 4 mg per day, though it is debatable if doses higher than 2 mg provide greater benefit. Patients should avoid taking more than 2 mg per day without specific doctor instruction to do otherwise.

Some studies were conducted for a duration two years, during which time Resolor continued to work fine. Assuming no serious side effects develop, treatment may continue for as long as it provides benefit.

To summarize:

• Most patients take 2 mg Resolor per day.
• Some patients may be restricted to 1 mg, and, rarely, some patients are told to take 4 mg.
• Food and drink is optional with each dose.
• Treatment may continue for as long as it provides benefit.

Individual patients can react differently to the same medication, and some patients find Resolor simply doesn't work; it does little or nothing to alleviate constipation. Patients who do not notice any significant improvement after a month or more of treatment should discuss alternative options with a doctor.

Note that while Resolor works well for many patients, it is not a cure. Unless the underlying cause of chronic constipation is addressed---which may not be possible---constipation will most likely return if treatment with Resolor ends.

Who Should Not Take Resolor

All patients will ideally consult a doctor before starting treatment with Resolor, and particularly those with other major medical conditions or taking other medications. A doctor consult is important to rule out those conditions in which Resolor will provide not benefit, and may cause harm.

Some examples of conditions in which Resolor should be avoided include:

• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Toxic megarectum or megacolon
• Other conditions which cause severe inflammation of the gut
• Obstruction of the gut
• Renal dialysis

There may be other conditions as well that may exclude Resolor, and it may interact with a range of prescription and non-prescription drugs. Again, consulting doctor before use is important!

Potential Complications

Resolor can cause side effects in quite a few patients, but these are typically mild and transient, meaning they stop occurring within the first few days of treatment. More common side effects include:

• Abdominal discomfort
• Dizziness
• Decreased appetite
• Bloating
• Gas
• Nausea
• Vomiting

The above are not cause for concern unless they become severe or regularly persist beyond the first week of treatment or dosage increases.

Rarely more serious side effects develop, which often call for medical attention. These include:

• Frequent urination
• Rectal bleeding
• Tremors
• Pounding heartbeat
• Fever
• Feeling very unwell

Patients who experience the above may need a dose reduction, or the medication may simply be unsuitable for a given patient. There are other options available if so. In the majority of cases, as long as medically addressed, the above are reversible.