Zelnorm has been pulled, as there is a small association with heart attacks when taking this IBS drug:
Swiss pharmaceutical maker Novartis AG will stop selling a drug to relieve constipation after it was linked to a higher chance of heart attack, stroke and worsening chest pain that can become a heart attack, federal health officials said Friday . . .. . . Earlier this year, Novartis gave the FDA the results of 29 clinical studies of Zelnorm for treatment of a variety of gastrointestinal tract conditions. The analyses showed 13 of 11,614 patients given Zelnorm had serious and life-threatening cardiovascular side effects, while just one of the 7,031 patients given dummy pills did, the FDA and Novartis said in separate statements.
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And let the lawsuits begin…..
deb said…
i finally got a gastro doc to prescribe zelnorm after trying since it came out to get it from my family doc(s) and boom! gone! it’s been the only help i’ve gotten and i’ve tried everything!
this is too sad
Remember cisapride? An overused drug back in it’s day but clearly very useful in those with severe refractory gastroparesis. Thanks to the JD’s no gastroenterologist would ever consider prescribing this drug (it is still available through compassionate use protocols for severe diabetic gastroparesis). Just looking out for the little guy….yeah right. I will believe that the next time you help me take care of a gastroparetic barfing for two weeks straight.
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