Zelnorm (Tegaserod Maleate) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) »

What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common ailments of the bowel (intestines) and affects an estimated 15% of people in the US. The term, irritable bowel, is not a particularly accurate one since it implies that the bowel is responding irritably to normal stimuli, and this may or may not be the case. The several terms used for IBS, including spastic colon, spastic colitis, and mucous colitis, attest to the difficulty of getting a descriptive handle on the ailment. Moreover, each of the other names is itself as problematic as the term IBS.

IBS is best described as a functional disease. The concept of functional disease is particularly useful when discussing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The concept applies to the muscular organs of the gastrointestinal tract; the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, gallbladder, and colon. What is meant by the term, functional, is that either th...

Read the Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) article »

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

Zelnorm Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking tegaserod (Zelnorm)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to tegaserod, or if you have:

a history of stroke or heart attack;
untreated or uncontrolled angina (chest pain);
high blood pressure;
high cholesterol or triglycerides;
diabetes;
depression or anxiety;
if you smoke;
if you are older than 55 years;
if you are overweight; or
if you have a history of suicidal thoughts or actions.

Before taking tegaserod, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

diarrhea or if diarrhea is your main symptom of IBS;
gallbladder problems;
a blockage in your intestines;
any other stomach or intestinal disorders;
kidney disease; or
liver disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use tegaserod.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether tegaserod passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Tegaserod has not been shown to be helpful for men with irritable bowel syndrome.

How should I take tegaserod (Zelnorm)?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medication with a full glass of water.

Take tegaserod on an empty stomach.

Tegaserod is usually taken twice daily. Follow your doctor's instructions.

It may take up to 2 weeks of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 to 6 weeks of treatment.

Tegaserod is not a cure for irritable bowel syndrome. If you stop taking tegaserod, your symptoms may return within 1 or 2 weeks.

Store tegaserod at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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