Moza-5 (Mosapride) 5mg

Moza-5 general information

What is Moza-5 used for?

Moza-5 tablets 5mg are used to treat severe reflux oesophagitis (also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GORD), where all other treatments have failed or cannot be tolerated.  Moza-5 tablets 5mg are also used to treat gastroparesis or delayed emptying of the stomach, which causes food to stay longer in the stomach before passing into the intestine due to impaired muscle contractions and this can cause several unpleasant symptoms, including, vomiting, nausea, heartburn and dyspepsia.  Moza-5 tablets 5mg help restore the natural rhythm of muscle contraction and relaxation in the stomach to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms like heartburn and dyspepsia (indigestion and abdominal pain), caused by the acidic contents of the stomach flowing back into the oesophagus. 

How does Moza-5 work?

Moza-5 tablets 5mg contain mosapride, a gastric prokinetic agent and serotonin (5HT) receptor agonist.  Mosapride in Moza-5 tablets 5mg is a specific agonist of 5HT₄ receptor, which is found in the stomach, and it does not have any action on the dopamine or acetylcholine receptors¹.  Stimulation of the 5HT₄ receptor increases release of acetylcholine by the nerves supplying the stomach and this acts directly on the stomach muscle to increase peristalsis or natural waves of contraction that moves food towards the intestine.  This prokinetic action of mosapride in Moza-5 tablets 5mg stimulates gastrointestinal motility and speeds up gastric emptying, as well as relieving pressure on the esophageal sphincter (muscle at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach), which in turn helps prevent reflux into the oesophagus.  

What does Moza-5 contain?

Moza-5 tablets 5mg contains the active ingredient mosapride, a specific 5HT₄ receptor (serotonin) receptor agonist used to stimulate gastrointestinal motility in conditions like reflux oesophagitis and gastroparesis. 

Treating reflux oesophagitis with Moza-5

Moza-5 tablets 5mg contain mosapride, a serotonin agonist that used to stimulate gastrointestinal motility in reflux oesophagitis (also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GORD).  Mosapride in Moza-5 tablets 5mg is a specific agonist of the 5HT₄ receptor, which is found in the stomach, and this causes increased release of acetylcholine by the nerves supplying the stomach.  The released acetylcholine then acts directly on the stomach muscle to increase peristalsis or natural waves of contraction that moves food towards the intestine¹.  This stimulates gastrointestinal motility and speeds up gastric emptying, as well as relieving pressure on the esophageal sphincter (muscle at the junction of the oesophagus and stomach), which in turn helps prevent reflux into the oesophagus.  Moza-5 tablets 5mg are used to treat severe GORD, where all other treatments have failed or cannot be tolerated, to relieve symptoms like heartburn and dyspepsia (indigestion and abdominal pain), caused by the acidic contents of the stomach flowing back into the oesophagus. 

What are the side effects of Moza-5?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Moza-5 include: diarrhoea, dry mouth, headache, nausea, insomnia, abdominal pain, dizziness.

When should Moza-5 not be used?

You should not use Moza-5 if you:

• are allergic to mosapride or any ingredients in Moza-5
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease or respiratory failure
• are taking medications that may prolong the QT-interval, including the antimalarial quinine, the antihistamine terfenadine, some antiarrhythmic medicines, such as amiodarone, quinidine, flecainide, sotalol, tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, and some antipsychotic agents, such as phenothiazines, haloperidol, risperidone, as these increase risk of QT prolongation
• are taking medications that may interact with Moza-5, including macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin, which increases the concentration of mosapride

How should Moza-5 be taken?

You should take your Moza-5 tablets 5mg with a glass of water 3 times daily, with or without food.  The dose you take will depend on the condition you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation.  You should continue to take your Moza-5 tablets 5mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, but nor for longer than 2 weeks.

How long should you take Moza-5?

You should continue to take your Moza-5 tablets 5mg for as long as recommended by your doctor. Continuous administration of Moza-5 is not recommended if no improvement in GI symptoms is observed after 2 weeks use.

Missed dose of Moza-5

If you miss a dose of Moza-5 tablets 5mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Moza-5 be stored?

You should store your Moza-5 below 25°C in a cool dry place. 

References

1. Liu Q, Feng CC, Wang EM, Yan XJ, Chen SL. Efficacy of mosapride plus proton pump inhibitors for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review. World J Gastroenterol 2013;19: 9111-8