** Important update **: On March 30th, 2007 – FDA announces discontinued marketing of Zelnorm, due to health safety concerns.
Zelnorm – A product that provides relief to IBS sufferers who are faced with predominant constipation
- What symptoms are relieved by this product?
- How effective is the product towards the symptoms?
- What is the recommended duration of use for this product?
- Are there any side-effects during and after product usage?
- Are the results permanent after the product usage has stopped?
- Product Review
What symptoms are relieved by this product?
The ingredients in the tablets (5HT4 receptor agonist) would help to increase and normalize impaired motility of the bowel allowing for constipation relief.
How effective is the product towards the symptoms?
Most users who have used this medication, found that it has been very helpful in relieving constipation and in finding some regularity in their bowel movements. A large number of users however, report having mild to moderate diarrhea that only lasts for a short duration during treatment.
What is the recommended duration of use for this product?
This is a short-term treatment product. It is recommended to be used for a period of 4-6 weeks. Thereafter, users should only continue treatment for another 4-6 weeks if they respond positively in relieving constipation.
Are there any side-effects during and after product usage?
This product has caused a fair percentage of users to have cardiovascular colitis during treatment. This results in heart attack, stroke or severe heart-related chest pain. The more common side effects are:
- diarrhea
- flatulence
- headache
- nausea
The long-term effects on users are not yet available since the product was only placed on the market in the year 2002.
Are the results permanent after the product usage has stopped?
No. The original symptoms will recur within two week’s time after a user stops using this product.
Product Review
Zelnorm raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It also does not provide lasting results after the product has been stopped. Symptoms of constipation will recur within 2 weeks.
The FDA has requested Novartis, the manufacturer of the drug, to suspend all forms of marketing and Novartis have voluntarily complied. This is the result of the FDA receiving new clinical trial data that identified a significant number of cardiovascular ischemic events in users taking this drug.
Therefore, I would highly suggest avoiding this product at all costs. This drug is still currently available through a program that allows restricted access. Under this program, users must meet the FDA approved criteria.
I strongly suggest viewing my recommendation here to effective and safely relieve your IBS symptom of constipation instead of taking drugs that have a high potential for cardiovascular risks.
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