Clinical practice recommendations on the use of neuromodulators in gastroenterology: AMG (Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología) - AMNM (Asociación Mexicana de Neurogastroenterología y Motilidad) expert joint review.

Abstract

Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI) are characterized by alterations in both central and peripheral gut-brain axis (GBA)-related stimuli, and include esophageal, gastroduodenal, intestinal and anorectal disorders. Despite the fact that several pathophysiologic mechanisms are involved, the mainstay of treatment is neuromodulators, a heterogeneous group of drugs that act on pathways related to central and peripheral pain processing. This expert review by both the AMG (Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología) and AMNM (Asociación Mexicana de Neurogastroenterología y Motilidad) summarizes a series of updated clinical recommendations based on an exhaustive review of the literature, regarding the use of neuromodulators for DGBI, and is grouped into six sections: pharmacologic principles, definition, classification, mechanism of action, indications and use in each DGBI subtype, up/downscaling strategies, combination therapy, adverse events, joint use along with psychiatry in the case of comorbidities, and non-pharmacologic neuromodulation. Furthermore, drug selection process tips and dose personalization according to individual groups and sensitivities are provided, and special cases with DGBI-psychiatric comorbidity, as well as overlap with another DGBI, are considered.