Prokinetic effect of clarithromycin and azithromycin in vitro study on rabbit duodenum

There is a continuous search for new prokinetic agents for use in gastro intestinal hypomotility. Erythromycin, a macrolide, is one of them. In this study we observed effect of other macrolides, i.e. clarithromycin and azithromycin on rabbit duodenum and compared with that of neostigmine. Both these drugs produced significant prokinetic effect with EC[50] 0.4 micro g/ml and 0.29 micro g/ml respectively. Effect of clarithromycin was well sustained as compared to that of azithromycin, so it seemed to be a better prokinetic agent