Tegaserod treatment was originally designed for the treatment of constipation predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
It is a 5-HT4 (serotonin) receptor agonist that stimulates your colon to contract and also reduces the abdominal pain or colic in IBS.
Its use was mainly for refractory constipation in those who had not responded to conventional therapies such as laxatives and lifestyle changes.
This drug is also known as Zelnorm.
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The drug is for short term management of women with IBS-C who have failed conventional treatment (1).
WITHDRAWN from women and patients under 65 years of age as possible increase risk of increased cardiovascular events (heart attacks and strokes). A large study of 18,000 people showed adverse cardiovascular event in 13 of 11,614 people.
Withdrawn due to potential cardiovascular events.
Cautions - you should always discuss with your doctor before taking:
The main side effects are headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea, ischaemic colitis and cardiovascular events as outlined.
Allergy to the medication
The dose is 6 mg tablet twice a day for 4 to 6 weeks.
Zelnorm in Irritable Bowel Syndrome has been used, but withdrawn on safety grounds at present.
A newer drug known a Prucalopride has since superseded it.
This is not a drug I have any experience of so cannot pass comment other than to say it is not available in the UK.
I would be very interested in others thoughts on this drug and look forward to your reviews.
1) Tegaserod for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation. Evans BW et al, Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007(4):CD003960.
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