Causes Of Gastroparesis

Medications

Individuals can come down with gastroparesis by the intake of medications like narcotics, calcium channel blockers, anticholinergics, and antidepressants, which are thought to slow down the movement of food from the stomach. Some of these are used to treat conditions like high blood pressure and for relieving pain.

Interferon alfa, a medicine known to treat several types of cancer along with hepatitis, is one of the many specific medications believed to cause gastroparesis. Lithium, a treatment for bipolar disorder, has been named as a risk factor for gastroparesis. Dopamine receptor agonists, for treating Parkinson's disease, and aluminum hydroxide antacids may play a role as well.

Another medicine shown to stimulate gastroparesis is clonidine. Studies suggest this drug could be useful for treating the condition as well; however, there isn't enough evidence to support this theory. Other medications linked to gastroparesis include anti-diabetic drugs such as pramlintide, liraglutide, and exenatide.

Continue reading to learn about precisely how Parkinson's disease can result in gastroparesis.