Zelnorm Articles

East Hanover, NJ: Earlier this year Novartis Pharmaceuticals voluntarily removed the pro-motility agent Zelnorm (tegaserod maleate, and prescribed for chronic constipation) from the market after reports of serious adverse events in patients. These included heart attack, stroke, and worsening chest pain that can lead to a heart attack.

Cambridge, MA: Normally, in business, the five-year window represents a long-held expectation for the first tangible signs of success. But such is not the case for Zelnorm. Even though the manufacturer, Novartis Pharmaceuticals made money hand-over-fist with Zelnorm and won marketing accolades, the drug peaked, then faded from view in the time it takes for many businesses just to get established.

Seattle, WA: Zelnorm, a drug manufactured to treat irritable bowel syndrome, is now being recalled internationally. China is the latest country to issue a recall, announcing last month that it had ordered domestic companies to stop making and selling Zelnorm and warning patients not to take the drug. In the U.S., patients who have taken Zelnorm and suffered adverse reactions are now investigating the possibility of filing lawsuits against Novartis.

Newport, RI: Brenda W. thanks her lucky stars that Zelnorm only helped her irritable bowel syndrome for a few months. If she continued taking the drug, Brenda believes her chest pains could have led to a heart attack.

Baltimore, MD: For the past year, Barbara Truitt took Zelnorm for irritable bowel syndrome. "The crazy part is that Zelnorm does work but it can kill you in the process," she says.