What is Cisapride used for?

Cisapride is indicated for: Chronic GI motility disorder, Chronic idiopathic constipation, constipation, constipation (prokinetic), Crop stasis, Gastroparesis, GI motility enhancer, GI stasis, GI stasis (prokinetic), Megacolon, megaesophagus adjunct, Post-anesthetic GI stasis, Post-anesthetic ileus, Post-operative ileus, Refractory GI hypomotility.

Which species have cited Cisapride dosing data?

Cisapride dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 8 species: African Grey Parrot, Bearded Dragon, Cat (Domestic), Chinchilla, Dog (Domestic), Guinea Pig, Rabbit (Domestic), Sugar Glider.

Is Cisapride a controlled substance?

Cisapride is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Cisapride

US brand names:Propulsid

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Cisapride is dosed at 0.5–2 mg/kg PO q24h in bearded dragons, per Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.272 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Gastrointestinal

Routes

Indications

Chronic GI motility disorderChronic idiopathic constipationconstipationconstipation (prokinetic)Crop stasisGastroparesis

GI motility enhancer

megaesophagus adjunct

Refractory GI hypomotility

Mechanism of Action

Serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonist. Enhances acetylcholine release in the myenteric plexus, promoting GI motility throughout the tract.

Side effects & warnings

Withdrawn from human market (cardiac arrhythmias); available as compounded product for veterinary use. Contraindicated with GI obstruction. May interact with azole antifungals.

Evidence levels across 16 dose rules

Moderate×7Strong×3Extrapolated×4Weak×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 8 published sources

· Bodley K. Appendix 4. Drug Formulary. In: Vogelnest L, Portas T, eds. Current Therapy in Medicine of Australian Mammals; CSIRO Publishing, Clayton South, Vic; 2019:702-727.; Brust DM. What every veterinarian needs to know about sugar gliders. Exotic DVM. 2009;11:32-41.; Ness RD, Johnson-Delaney C. Sugar gliders. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2012:393-410. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.711 (2026-08-01).
· Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019:1191-1211. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.272 (2026-08-01).
· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
· Johnson-Delaney CA, Harrison LR, eds. Exotic Companion Medicine Handbook for Veterinarians, Wingers Publishing, Lake Worth, FL; 1996. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.490 (2026-08-01).
· LeGrange SN, Boothe DM, Herndon S, Willard MD. Pharmacokinetics and suggested oral dosing regimen of cisapride: A study in healthy cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1997;33:517-523. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.297 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 16 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 8 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Cat (Domestic)	PO	0.5–1 mg/kg	q8h	Strong	LeGrange SN, Boothe DM, Herndon S, Willard MD. Pharmacokinetics and suggested oral dosing regimen of cisapride: A study in healthy cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1997;33:517-523. doi:10.5326/15473317-33-6-517 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.297 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)	PO	0.1–1 mg/kg	q8-12h	Strong	Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Upgrade for Full Details

Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.

View Plans

· Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.799 (2026-08-01).

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

· Whitehead K, Cortes Y, Eirmann L. Gastrointestinal dysmotility disorders in critically ill dogs and cats. J Vet Emerg Crit Car. 2016;26(2):234-253. doi:10.1111/vec.12449 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.297 (2026-08-01).