Nortriptyline for Idiopathic Gastroparesis

Exclusion Criteria

• •Normal gastric emptying confirmed with scintigraphy
• •Diabetic gastroparesis or post-surgical gastroparesis including fundoplication
• •Another active disorder which could explain symptoms in the opinion of the investigator
• •History of significant cardiac arrhythmias and/or prolonged QTc
• •History of seizures
• •Use of narcotics more than 3 days per week
• •Use of tricyclic antidepressants for refractory symptoms of gastroparesis within 6 weeks prior to randomization
• •Use of strongly anticholinergic medications
• •Use of calcium channel blockers
• •Use of erythromycin
• •Clear history of failed trial of nortriptyline use for gastroparetic symptoms
• •Symptoms of primary depression or suicidal ideation
• •Contraindications to nortriptyline:
• •1. hypersensitivity or allergy to any tricyclic antidepressant drug
• •2. concomitant therapy with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
• •3. recent myocardial infarction
• •4. glaucoma
• •Pregnancy or nursing
• •Any other condition, which in the opinion of the investigator would impede compliance or hinder completion of the study
• •Use of a G tube, J tube,or a central catheter for nutrition
• •Use of a gastric electrical stimulator
• •Failure to give informed consent