Medication Zelnorm Pulled from the Market and Miralax Now Over the Counter

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Fri, March 30, 2007

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The medication, Zelnorm, made by Novartis Pharmaceuticals for irritable bowel syndrome or chronic constipation, has been pulled off of the market. In a recent safety analysis, the drug was shown to cause adverse effects to the heart. Some of the side effects include increased chance for heart attack, stroke, and chest pain that can become a heart attack. For patients who have tried many other treatments with no success, the FDA will work with the pharmaceutical company to allow some patients access to Zelnorm through a special program.

In other medication news, the constipation medication Miralax has been approved to become available for purchase over the counter. It should be available at drug stores nationwide very soon, if it isn't already.

If you are taking Zelnorm, please contact your doctor immediately.

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Bekah

3/30/07 10:58pm

Thanks for the alert Stacy. Scary how they recall drugs after people start taking them. That happened to my cousin & his arthritis medication.

I have IBS and will DEFINITELY be staying away from Zelnorm!

Hugs,

Bekah

Anonymous

4/ 2/07 11:55am

I really hope that they are working on a way to make it less dangerous because it is the only medicine that has helped me. I'm really in trouble if I have to get off of it for good.

Dianna Lazan

4/ 2/07 9:03pm

I would rather die of a heart attack or a stroke than endure the extreme IBS attacks with significant pain and abdominal distention. This is a quality-of-life issue and should be my choice. I take care of my blood pressure and monitor it carefully.

Stacy

4/ 2/07 9:16pm

I am extremely glad that at the very least the company is allowing some patients to stay on the medication if they have had limited success with other meds/treatments.. but I wonder... what does this entail? I will try to find out. Dianna, it sounds like you could really benefit from this information. Has your doctor told you anything yet?
Hope you are all doing ok!

Dianna Lazan

5/30/07 4:27pm

My gastroenterologist refuses to place me in the Emergency Access Program for Zelnorm. They put me on Amitiza, which has horrible side effects of nausea and headaches. I am a headache patient that has gone through 14 surgeries and millions of painful injections, wiping out all our savings to treat the headaches, only to be placed on a medicine that causes them. This is a quality-of-life issue that should be my choice. I really like my gastroenterologist, but it looks like I will have to change doctors if I have to. I view birth control pills as more dangerous than the medications of mine that the FDA has pulled off the market. Cafergot is another one that was pulled, the only medication effective for my migraines with aura. I have contacted the pharmaceutical company for Zelnorm, and they said I have to have my doctor contact them. I am so frustrated, especially because the Amitiza does not work as well and with significant side effects. I see you suffer from headaches to, so you can relate. I also have TMJ among several other painful conditions. Good luck to you.

Anonymous

4/20/07 1:14pm

This sucks. This medicine has worked wonders for me and I agree with some other comments about rather take a risk than endure constant pain and bloating, constipation. This is so frustrating.

Althea

4/21/07 9:18pm

Interesting. I'v been taking this med for over 2 years and THOUGHT I loved it. It is the only thing that "worked". I was Dx'd with some heart issues last year. A first, because I'v never had any problems before. I don't think I even mentioned to the cardiologist I was taking Zelnorm. I want to find out what EXACTLY are the heart problems caused by Zelnorm. Where do I turn now?

Dianna Lazan

5/30/07 4:31pm

While I did develop severe hypertension "out of the blue" last year, since being taken off Zelnorm, my blood pressure has not dropped one bit; therefore, give me my Zelnorm back!!! My cardiologist still has not said anything about this medication. I hope somebody on the FDA suffers from this horrible disorder and does something to get this back on the market. My stomach is so distended that I cannot even leave the house, and I am reduced to wearing my pajamas, as clothes are too uncomfortable.

tinkerbell

5/26/07 12:54pm

I was seeing my doctor to ask for an increase in pain meds for my chronic jaw pain and she told me I had to stop taking my Zelnorm for IBS. I could have cried, it is the only thing that has ever worked for my IBS! She did not have any alternative for me other than fibre and fluids. If any other forms of this type of medicine become available let me know so I can check on its approval in Canada. Back to painful constipation...

Medication Zelnorm Pulled from the Market and Miralax Now Over the Counter

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