Description and Brand Names
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
US Brand Name
- Zelnorm
Descriptions
Tegaserod is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) in women less than 65 years of age. Tegaserod increases the movement of stools (bowel movement) through the bowels. It also decreases pain and discomfort in the stomach area, bloating, and constipation. However, this medicine does not cure irritable bowel syndrome. If you stop using tegaserod, your symptoms may return in 1 to 2 weeks.
Tegaserod is also used to treat women younger than 55 years of age who have chronic constipation with an unknown cause.
This medicine was withdrawn from the U.S. market on March 30, 2007, due to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and worsening chest pain that can become a heart attack in patients treated with this medicine compared to placebo (sugar pills). On July 27, 2007, this medicine was made available under a restricted access program called treatment IND, however, as of April 2, 2008, this medicine is no longer available under a treatment IND, and is only available for use in emergency situations. For further information and to see if you qualify for treatment with tegaserod for emergency use, you should consult your doctor. Your doctor will then contact FDA's Division for Drug Information about the emergency IND process at druginfo@fda.hhs.gov.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription and for use in emergency situations.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2023