Evaluation of intramuscular ceruletide for shortening small bowel transit time.

A double-blind crossover study in 31 normal volunteers showed that intramuscular injection of ceruletide (0.3 microgram/kg) significantly accelerated small bowel transit of barium when compared to placebo. The only adverse effect was frequent pain at the injection site. There was a significant degradation in the quality of small bowel coating and distension in only 10% of the volunteers. Despite these problems, intramuscular administration of ceruletide may become a useful method for decreasing the prolonged time required for most small bowel examinations.