Facteurs de risque de l'utilisation de l'érythromycine comme agent prokinétique

Erythromycin (ER) is an antibiotic with prokinetic activity. This property is used in clinical practice to improve gastric emptying in patient with gastroparesis. Several reports suggest that ER might be useful in some patients. However, among studies evaluating the use of ER in this indication, only few have been methodologically properly conducted and evaluating clinical endpoints. Their results are often contradictory. Therefore, this drug should be administered after individual evaluation of expected risks and benefits. This evaluation should take into account the numerous side effects, including cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. The aim of this paper is to provide new insights related to these adverse events. Prevention of these risks implies prescription guidelines and efficient communication between surgeons, anaesthesiologists and pharmacists.