The current study will compare the effectiveness as well as the safety of Itopride against metoclopramide as the first line treatment for feeding intolerance in critically ill patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aging between 18 and 60 years (of both sexes) who are admitted to the ICU and are expected to stay in the ICU for not less than 7 days and are prescribed enteral feeding through naso- or oro-gastric tube whose modified nutritional risk in the critically ill (mNUTRIC) score is of more than or equal 5.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who met the following criteria were excluded:

  • Age less than 18 years or more than 60 years.
  • Previous upper gastrointestinal tract surgery, obstruction, hemorrhage or history of GI disease.
  • Clinically significant hepatic dysfunction. (>3 times above the upper end of normal range of bilirubin, γ-glutamyl transferase, aspartate transaminase, or lactate dehydrogenase)
  • Regular use of H2 blockers, prokinetic, proton pump inhibitor or anticholinergic agents for previous 4 weeks.
  • Patients with arrhythmia or atrioventricular blocks.
  • Any condition or comorbid disease that might interfere with gastric emptying such as diabetes.
  • Patients with head injuries.