On Mar-30-07 Novartis stopped U.S. sales of its Zelnorm irritable bowel syndrome treatment at the request of the Food and Drug Administration after people taking the medicine had an increase in heart attacks and strokes.
Zelnorm is a prescription medicine prescribed for treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a mysterious disorder that gives millions of people, mostly women, abdominal pain and either severe diarrhea or severe constipation or both. Zelnorm is the only FDA-approved therapy for the constipation-causing form of the ailment. It is intended to be used only by women.
Zelnorm is used to speed the movement of stools through the colon and has been linked to serious cases of diarrhea, ischemic colitis and even death. As a result, the FDA has ordered that a precaution about the intestinal conditions be placed on the label, along with a larger warning about severe diarrhea.
The FDA has received reports of diarrhea so severe that it caused such complications as low blood pressure and fainting. A number of these patients required hospitalization. The FDA has also received reports of ischemic colitis and reports of a similar intestinal problem. A number of patients were hospitalized and several died.
The FDA warning states that Zelnorm should not be used by anyone who frequently experiences diarrhea, and should be stopped immediately if the patient suffers dizziness or fainting.
Legal Help - Zelnorm Heart Attacks and Strokes
If you reside in Canada, please [click here] for the Canadian complaint form.US residents: if you or a loved one has suffered a heart attack or stroke while taking Zelnorm, please fill in our form on the right to send your complaint to a lawyer who will review it at no cost or obligation.