Conditions and symptoms
What Is Gastroparesis? Slow Stomach Emptying Explained
Gastroparesis · say it: gas-troh-puh-REE-sisAlso written: delayed gastric emptying, stomach paralysis, slow stomach emptying
Short answer
Gastroparesis means the stomach empties into the gut more slowly than it should, without a blockage, causing nausea, fullness and bloating.
What it means
Gastroparesis means the stomach muscles do not push food on into the small intestine as they should, even though nothing is blocking the way. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, feeling full quickly, bloating, upper belly discomfort and, in people with diabetes, unpredictable blood sugar. Common causes include diabetes, some surgery, some viral illnesses and some medicines; often no cause is found.
Labels for some medicines mention gastroparesis. GLP-1 receptor agonists slow stomach emptying as part of how they work, and their labels may say they are not recommended in severe gastroparesis. Opioids and some anticholinergic medicines can also slow the gut. Metoclopramide's label lists diabetic gastroparesis as a use, with a boxed warning about tardive dyskinesia if used long-term.
Gastroparesis is different from a blockage in the stomach or bowel, which a doctor will want to rule out. It is also different from simple indigestion.
Where you may see it
- GLP-1 receptor agonist labels
- Metoclopramide labels under 'Indications'
- Gastric emptying study reports
📄 How it looks on a report
Gastric emptying study: delayed emptying, consistent with gastroparesis.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Feeling full after a large meal is not gastroparesis.
- It does not mean there is a blockage; that is checked separately.
- It does not always have a known cause.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Gastroparesis”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Gastroparesis”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Liraglutide
a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a type of medicine that acts like a natural gut hormone called GLP-1 to help lower blood sugar
- Metoclopramide
A stomach and gut medicine. The label describes it as affecting how the stomach and intestines move. The label does not give an FDA drug class.
- Semaglutide
A GLP-1 receptor agonist, a type of medicine that works like the natural GLP-1 hormone in the body
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Gastroparesis” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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