Zelnorm (Tegaserod Maleate) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 7, 2012

Zelnorm

Constipation »

Constipation facts

Constipation is defined medically as fewer than three stools per week and severe constipation as less than one stool per week.
Constipation usually is caused by the slow movement of stool through the colon.
There are many causes of constipation including medications, poor bowel habits, low fiber diets, abuse of laxatives, hormonal disorders, and diseases primarily of other parts of the body that also affect the colon.
The two disorders limited to the colon that cause constipation are colonic inertia and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Medical evaluation for the cause of constipation should be done when constipation is of sudden onset, severe, worsening, associated with other worrisome symptoms such as loss of weight, or is not responding to simple, safe treatments.
Medical evaluation of constipation may include a history, physical examinatio...

Read the Constipation article »

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Zelnorm User Reviews >>

Zelnorm

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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

Zelnorm®
(tegaserod maleate) Tablets

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Zelnorm® (tegaserod maleate) tablets contain tegaserod as the hydrogen maleate salt. As the maleate salt, tegaserod is chemically designated as 3-(5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-ylmethylene)-N-pentylcarbazimidamide hydrogen maleate. Its empirical formula is C₁₆H₂₃N₅O.C₄H₄O₄. The molecular weight is 417.47 and the structural formula is

Tegaserod as the maleate salt is a white to off-white crystalline powder and is slightly soluble in ethanol and very slightly soluble in water. Each 1.385 mg of tegaserod as the maleate is equivalent to 1 mg of tegaserod. Zelnorm (tegaserod maleate) is available for oral use in the following tablet formulations:

· 2 mg and 6 mg tablets (blister packs) containing 2 mg and 6 mg tegaserod, respectively and the following inactive ingredients: crospovidone, glyceryl monostearate, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, poloxamer 188, and polyethylene glycol 4000

· 6 mg tablets (bottles) containing 6 mg tegaserod and the following inactive ingredients: crospovidone, glyceryl behenate, hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, colloidal silicon dioxide.

What are the possible side effects of tegaserod (Zelnorm)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking tegaserod and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: