Zelnorm (Tegaserod)

What is Zelnorm expected to be used for?
Zelnorm was developed for the short-term treatment of females with IBS who has constipation as primary bowel symptom. It is also used for the treatment of chronic, idiopathic constipation of men and women up to 65 years old.

In wich cases Zelnorm shouldn’t be used?
Don’t use these medication if diarrhea is the main symptom of your irritable bowel condition.

Don’t use these drugs if you are allergic to tegaserod, or if you have history of stroke or heart attack,diabetes, high cholesterol or triglycerides, high blood pressure, depression, uncontrolled angina, anxiety.

Don’t use these drugs if you are overweight, if you are more than 55 years old, if you smoke, if you had suicidal thoughts or actions in past. Also consult doctor if you have kidney illness, a blockage in your intestines, other stomach or intestinal problems, gallbladder problems, liver illness. Zelnorm has not been shown to be good for men with irritable bowel syndrome.

Stop taking these drugs and consult your medical assistant immediately if you have new or worsening stomach painongoing diarrhea, severe stomach pain or cramps blood in your stools, feel like you might pass out. FDA pregnancy category B.

These medication are not supposed to be bad to an unborn baby. Please consult your medical assistant if you are pregnant or plan pregnancy during treatment. It is unknown whether Zelnorm will appear into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication before consulting your medical assistant if you are breast-feeding.

How is Zelnorm expected to be taken?
The common dose of Zelnorm is 6 mg twice a day, usually for 4 to 12 weeks. Zelnorm can be taken with meals or without. Older persons do not require lower doses in comparison with younger ones.

How is Zelnorm expected to work?
Constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women are treated with oral drug Zelnorm.

IBS - chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain or discomfort and altered bowel function which can be constipation or diarrhea. More than 20% of adults all over the world suffer from IBS.

Movement of food through the intestine is controlled by contractions of the intestinal muscles, primarily those of the colon. There are fewer contractions in constipated patients than in persons that don’t have constipation. Serotonin, important factor, controls the contractions. Nerves in the intestine manufacure this chemical, serotonin.

Serotonin is released by the nerves and then travels and binds to receptors on the surface of nerves nearby. It is a "neurotransmitter," a chemical messenger, a chemical that nerves use to communicate between each other. When it binds to receptors on the nerves that are resposible contractions of the intestinal muscles, serotonin can strengthen or lessen contractions depending on the type of receptor it binds to. Binding to some types of receptors causes contractions, and binding to other types of receptors blocks contractions.

The serotonin 5-HT4 receptor is a receptor that prevents contractions when serotonin binds to it. Zelnorm blocks the 5-HT4 receptor and prevents serotonin from binding to it. Thus, contractions grow. The increased contractions cause growth of speed of the transit of digesting food and reverse the constipation.

Also Zelnorm lessen the sensitivity of the intestinal pain-sensing nerves and can thereby reduce the perception of physical suffering.

What are Zelnorm side effects?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: swelling of your face, lips, tongue, hives; difficulty breathing; or throat. Stop taking Zelnorm drugs and contact your medical assistant immediatelly if you have serious effects as following:

• severe stomach pain or cramps
• new or worsening stomach pain
• ongoing diarrhea
• blood in your stools
• feeling like you might pass out.

• mild stomach pain, nausea or gas
• headache, dizziness or migraine
• back pain or joint pain.

What should you do if you miss a dose of Zelnorm?
If you miss a dose of these medication, skip the missed dose and return to your common dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at at the same time.

How is Zelnorm should be stored?
Zelnorm pills should be stored at room temperature, 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C).