Zelnorm (tegaserod) is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in females less than 65 years old. It's taken by mouth, typically twice daily. Some of the most common side effects of Zelnorm (tegaserod) include diarrhea, passing gas, and dizziness. It works differently than other IBS-C medications by promoting gut muscle movement to relieve pain, bloating, and constipation. As of June 2022, Zelnorm (tegaserod) has been discontinued in the United States.
Zelnorm (tegaserod) is a serotonin agonist. It works by promoting gut muscle movement and releasing fluids in your gut to soften stool. Both of these actions help you to have regular bowel movements and relieve stomach pain.
| Common Brands | Zelnorm |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Serotonin receptor agonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Discontinued |
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Bleeding from the rectum
bloody stools
dizziness or lightheadedness
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
headache, severe and throbbing
pale skin
sensation of spinning
troubled breathing with exertion
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
Chest pain or discomfort
confusion
difficulty in speaking
double vision
headache
inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
inability to speak
pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
slow speech
sweating
thoughts or attempts at killing oneself
vomiting
Incidence not known
Blurred vision
confusion
dark urine
difficulty swallowing
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fast heartbeat
indigestion
light-colored stools
new or worsening stomach pain
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
severe diarrhea
severe nausea or vomiting
stomach pain, usually after eating a meal
stomach tenderness
sweating
tightness in the chest
upper right abdominal pain
yellow eyes and skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Belching
difficulty in moving
increased appetite
indigestion
lack or loss of strength
muscle pain or stiffness
pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
stomach discomfort or upset
Incidence not known
Thinning or loss of hair
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Zelnorm (tegaserod) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Zelnorm (tegaserod) can put you at a higher risk for getting dangerous heart problems, like strokes and heart attacks. People with a history of stroke, heart attack, or chest pain should not use Zelnorm (tegaserod). Your chance of getting a heart attack or stroke while on the medication is higher if you currently smoke, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, or are older than 55 years old.or obesity. Talk to your provider if you are concerned with this side effect.
Heart attack symptoms include chest pain, shoulder or arm pain, and shortness of breath. Stroke symptoms include sudden face numbness, difficulty moving arms or legs, and trouble breathing. Chest pain, or angina, can also occur while taking Zelnorm (tegaserod). This kind of chest pain happens when there’s not enough blood flow to your heart. If you experience a heart attack, stroke, or chest pain while on Zelnorm (tegaserod), stop the medication. Let your provider know if you have any concerns, so they can help you find a safe treatment.
Zelnorm (tegaserod) can reduce blood flow to the intestines, which causes swelling and injury to the intestines, known as ischemic colitis. This can be serious and might lead to hospitalization. Your risk is higher if you have a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, previous abdominal surgery, or are older than 60 years old. You should stop taking Zelnorm (tegaserod) and contact your provider right away if you experience bleeding from your rectum, bloody diarrhea, or new or worsening stomach pain, as this may be a sign of ischemic colitis.
Zelnorm (tegaserod) eases constipation by promoting gut muscle movements and releasing fluids in the gut. But as a result, Zelnorm (tegaserod) can also cause severe diarrhea that leads to a lot of fluid loss in your body. If you lose more fluids than you’re taking in, your body won’t be able to work properly. You can feel faint, dizzy, or even pass out. This might require hospitalization for rehydration treatment. Stop taking Zelnorm (tegaserod) and let your provider know if you have severe diarrhea, low blood pressure, or dizziness.
Zelnorm (tegaserod) can raise the risk of suicide, suidical attempts and thoughts, and self-harm. This occurs more often if you are also using antidepressants or have a history of suicidal thoughts and behavior. These symptoms usually happen the first few months of treatment. If you or your family members notice that you have any worsening depression or begin to have suicidal thoughts and behavior, stop taking Zelnorm (tegaserod) right away and contact your provider.
The typical dosage is 6 mg by mouth twice daily at least 30 minutes before meals.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Zelnorm (tegaserod) will not be safe for you to take.
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Zelnorm has been discontinued by its manufacturer in 2022 due to business reasons. If you have a valid prescription, you might still be able to get Zelnorm at pharmacies until the supply runs out. You should speak with your provider as soon as possible about switching to another medication for IBS-C.
The manufacturer has discontinued Zelnorm as of 2022. Zelnorm was first approved in 2002. But it was taken off the market 5 years later due to a possible link to dangerous heart problems, like heart attack and stroke. After a review by the FDA, Zelnorm was reintroduced in 2019 for females less than 65 years old without previous heart problems. The manufacturer removed Zelnorm from market again in 2022, but this time because of business reasons and not because of issues with safety.
Zelnorm can start to work in as early as 1 week. Contact your provider if you notice no improvement in your symptoms after 4 to 6 weeks of treatment, as you might need to switch to a different medication.
Let your provider know if you have high blood pressure. Zelnorm can raise your risk of heart problems, like heart attacks and strokes. Having certain risk factors, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, current smoking, being over the age of 55, or obesity can put you at a higher risk for these heart problems. Make sure your provider is aware of your full medical history before you take Zelnorm.
Constipation can happen if you don’t have enough fluids or if your gut muscles aren’t working as they should. Other IBS-C medications, such as Linzess (linaclotide) and Trulance (plecanatide), work by raising the amount of fluid in your gut to soften your stool and make it easier to pass. Zelnorm does this as well, but it can also promote muscle movements in your gut to further help with constipation and pain.
