Prokinetic agents: a key in the future of gastroenterology.

Prokinetic drugs enhance the motility of the luminal organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Few drugs developed in this decade are likely to have a greater impact on the treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Bethanechol and metaclopramide have proven the potential utility of this class of drugs, whereas newer agents promise to have both a greater margin of safety and tolerability and a broader scope of utility. The efficacy of these agents is reviewed for the treatment of impaired motility from gastroesophageal reflux to severe chronic constipation.