Zelnorm medication benefit and dosage by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Zelnorm side effects

Zelnorm is a prescription medication used for the short-term treatment of women who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with constipation (hard stools or difficulty passing stools) as their main bowel problem. IBS is a disorder that interferes with the normal functions of the large intestine (colon). Symptoms may include cramps, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and/or diarrhea. Zelnorm is made by the pharmaceutical giant Novartis. We understand Zelnorm has been taken off the market.

Beginning in April 2007, Swiss pharmaceutical maker Novartis AG stopped selling Zelnorm drug to relieve constipation after it was linked to higher chance of heart attack, stroke and worsening heart chest pain that can become a heart attack. Novartis agreed to withdraw Zelnorm at the FDA's request. Zelnorm, also called tegaserod maleate, is a prescription medication approved for short-term treatment of women with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation and for patients younger than 65 with chronic constipation. Doctors who prescribe Zelnorm should work with their patients and transition them to other therapies as appropriate.

Zelnorm mechanism of action
Zelnorm increases the action of serotonin (a body chemical) in the intestines. This speeds the movement of stools (bowel movements) through the bowels. Zelnorm is used to treat severe, chronic, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women who have constipation as their main bowel problem (constipation-predominant). Zelnorm has not been shown to be helpful for men with irritable bowel syndrome. Zelnorm works by increasing the movement of stools through the bowels. For those patients who are helped, Zelnorm reduces pain and discomfort in the abdominal area, bloating, and constipation. Zelnorm is not a cure for IBS and does not work for all women who use it. FDA does not have evidence that Zelnorm is effective in men with IBS.

Zelnorm medication questions
Q. I suffer from severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome that responds somewhat (although not completely satisfactory) to a serotonin mimetic called Zelnorm. Do you have any thoughts on taking a supplement of 5htp for boosting the serotonin in my GI tract?
     A. 5-HTP does convert to serotonin, but we don't have any experience using 5-Hydroxytryptophan for IBS.