tokens: Our aim was to assess the effects of long - term treatment with a prokinetic agent , cisapride , on postprandial jejunal motility and symptoms in the irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS ). METHODS : Thirty - eight patients with IBS ( constipation - predominant , n = 17 ; diarrhoea - predominant , n = 21 ) underwent 24 - h ambulatory jejunal manometry before and after 12 week ' s treatment [ cisapride , 5 mg three times daily ( n = 19 ) or placebo ( n = 19 )]. RESULTS : In diarrhoea - predominant patients significant differences in contraction characteristics were observed between the cisapride and placebo groups .