Zelnorm Recall Will Affect Thousands

A drug, widely prescribed for constipation was pulled off the market after studies showed that it is linked to serious ailments.As CBS 2's Pamela Jones reports, thousands of patients taking Zelnorm will be ...

[C FMaComb]

It was really not helping the problem it was diagnosed for, so i cut back to 1 pill a day but was still experiencing irractic heart beat and very rapid heart beat.

[Tera]

My husband has been on zelnorm for 4 years taking 4-5 tablets per day. He recently had a stroke and the doctors (prior to hearing about it) have not been able to determine what caused it.

[joann]

i have been on it for 2 years and just recently have been experiencing irractic heart beat and rapid beat. went to a cardiovascular doctor and did all the tests and could not figure out why i was having them he made me get off coffee chocalate and still i was getting them but he was going to put me on another drug to control my palpitations good thing i refused.

[anne]

I took Zelnorm for 4 months and started having rapid and irregular heart beats and chest pain. I get PVC's,but this was very different. My doctor ordered blood test as well as ekg and chest xrays and the blood work showed low potassium. I took a dose of 40mic and stopped the zelnorm and the symptoms have eased up a lot but are still there on occasion. I wonder if low potassium has showed up in any other patients with problems? Two follow up blood tests show my levels have returned to normal after treatment and stopping the zelnorm. It makes sense, causing dehydration.

[Judy - Canada]

I am 37 and have been taking Zelnorm for over four years with No problems with Rapid or Irregular hearts. Here is Canada they are saying that those with an undiagnosed heart conditions or have heart disease in their family shouldn't be taking Zelnorm and if they any adverse side effects to stop taking it.

I am very sad that this drug is being recalled because it is the only medication that helped me with my IBS -C I suffer with.

[Kathi]

I have been taking Zelnorm for 2 years,I was very pleased with the results of it. I often called Zelnorm the miracle medicine, I had tried everything and nothing worked until I took the Zelnorm.I am concerned with the recall but also upset that I will no longer be able to take it

[Susan]

It seems that many people are suddenly noticing that they have been having erratic heart rates while on Zelnorm. I think this is likely a lot of suggestive response to the media hype,(though erratic heart rate is not one of the listed alleged dangerous side effects). A large number of Americans have cardiovascular problems which have many causes, including the majority of Americans' notoriously unhealthy lifestyle. It is hardly suprising that a percentage of those taking Zelnorm would have pre-existing and undiagnosed cardiovascular problems.
For those of us who have tried every other available treatment for chronic idiopathic constipation, this recall has very serious consquences. I was not surprised when my doctor told me that he is not sure what alternative treatment he can offer me since we have already tried everything else and Zelnorm was working like a charm with no ill side effects at all. I dread going back to the horror of life before Zelnorm.
I wonder if any of the so-called experts claiming that the (admittedly) tiny risks now outweigh the benefits are among those for whom Zelnorm was a miracle drug.

[Susan]

Actually I just read a report from the FDA that admitted that the 13 patients reporting heart attack, stroke or chest pain in the Zelnorm studies DID in fact have pre-existing cardiovascular disease and family history. So the connection with Zelnorm is What?

[Laura]

I started Zelnorm around May 2005. I have never had any cardiovasular problems, or or health problems for that matter. Around January of 2006 I started having panic or anxiety attacks out of no where. I wish I had of kept a journal so I would have a play by play, so to speak. I let this go on for about a year, and finally got an MRI done. My PC called the next morning and told me I needed to see a neurologist. After going through all of his tests and blood work, he showed I had an B-12 deficiency. I started taking Folbee, and felt better. That is until he told me I had a "stoke like" symptons on Mother's day of 2006. I remember that day well. My eyes or vision were sloshing back and forth and other strange feeling. I kept telling my husband that I thought it might have to do with the Zelnorm, but the Neurologist told me in January that it would not have. I think he even asked me what Zelnorm was for. I have not taken it for a while, except this past Friday, and have actually felt much, much better.

[Sarah Homer]

How dare the FDA take a drug that has allowed a lot of people, me included, to live an almost normal lives. Before Zelnorm I had abdominal pain that occation sent me to the ER. Laxitives they said, increase water they said. Pain and more pain I said. Fiber they replied. Pain. Pain. And more pain. Zelnorm gave me pain free bowel movements for the first time in..well, 33 years now. I'm sorry some have had issues. I feel for the family of the person who died from side effects. Why couldn't they allow those who had no problems sign papers saying we know the risks. I hope they can figure out what did this to those people and get this drug out again!

[sal]

zelnorm is the only med that has given my son a normal life w/out laxatives, enemas, and frequent hospitalization. After two years of wonderful outcomes w/ the Zelnorm, I am horrified that he will have to go back:(

[Julie westchester NY]

Any medication a person takes always has a risk of effecting them negatively, for the first time i found a medication that actually worked. Before zelnorm i would have sleepless nights, throwing up food cause my stomach wasnt emptying correctly, and having cronic pain throught the day. Instead of taking it off it should be up to the person taking the medication ... everything we do in life could always end up with a negative effect but personally i'm willing to take that chance

[lovly000]

I have serious pain with my IBS-C and Zelnorm was the only medication that controlled it. Also, I could go up to a week without having a BM and with zelnorm I was going every day. I experienced no heart problems and am extremely upset it is being recalled.

[Nancy]

I've been using Zelnorm for several years and have had NO side effects. It was the first medication that allowed me to occasionally eat like a normal person without the painful and embarrassing bloating and gas symptoms. I'm disappointed with the recall. All meds have side effects and patients should take these into consideration before using any drugs.

[Robert H Hilley IV]

In addition, Zelnorm has long been suspect of causing other serious, life-threatening issues.

The current Zelnorm recall was issued due to recent studies linking the drug to an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events including Heart Attacks (myocardial infarction), Strokes (cerebrovascular accident) and Angina Pectoris.

However, Schmidt & Clark | A National Law Firm is also investigating other gastrointestinal injuries such as Intestinal Ischemia, Colonic Ischemia and Ischemic Colitis.

OTHER ZELNORM WARNINGS

In March 2001, Public Citizen urged the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not to approve tegaserod (Zelnorm)... Read More: http://www.schmidtandclark.com/blog/zelnorm/p...

Also ...

According to doctors at the Harvard Medical School, This is not the first problem seen with Zelnorm since it was introduced to the U.S. market ... Read More: http://www.schmidtandclark.com/blog/zelnorm/z...

ZELNORM RECALL RESOURCE

For current lawsuit information regarding the Zelnorm recall and the side effects linked to the drug, please visit Schmidt & Clark.

http://www.schmidtandclark.com/Zelnorm/

[annie]

Please put zelnorm back on the market for those who have disabling pain. I am now unable to even walk with out the help from a PCA due to pain since I have been off of zelnorm. I haven't eaten in 4 days. My doctor has nothing more to offer me. Many doctors including my GI doctor from the Mayo Clinic misdiagnosed me and actually told me to eat more fiber; something which made things worse. I don't think many doctors understand how disabling this can be. Some people simply don't have other options and are in urgent need. I have a severe immune disease with nerve damage! I need to sleep, eat, and have bowel movements.

[Monika]

I am sorry for those people who suffered and died from Zelnorm. My mother was on a drug that was taken off the market because of leaky heart valve issues. She suffered and later died of a stroke. I do believe that some people, if there health or life is in danger should be given the option to use Zelnorm. My doctor would love to write me a prescription if it was legal. Zelnorm offered me the ability to walk and eat again. I was unable to walk and was in extreme pain for 3 months prior to using Zelnorm. Before that I had years of discomfort and strict diets but nothing worked.
It is frustrating that cigarrettes and alcohol have not been banned in the US for causing so many deaths. This is a lifestyle choice. Why can't I chose to be on Zelnorm and be able to walk and eat again.

[Lela]

I have been taking Zelnorm for over two years now. It has done wonders for me. I feel so much better! What am I supposed to do now? Fiber theraphy doesnt work for me and laxatives are not good for everyday use. I havent had any heart palpations, missing beats or anything. So what do the people who needs Zelnorm to do?

[steve]

I was on Zelnorm for 2 years and my IBS-C was completely under control; though I did stick to a low fiber diet. I urge all people who have no other options to write letters to their doctors, the FDA and Novartus to have this medication approved for those who have no other options. Certainly this medication should be more carefully prescribed and more carefully monitored - maybe like cancer treatments. It should not however be discontinued for those who really need it. There is a difference between those who have discomfort and those who live in horrible pain. I cry, and sweat from the pain. This is a very serious condition that needs some kind of treatment. It should not be ignored. I haven't been very vocal about my situation because it is embarrassing. I hope it is not too late.
Do people really understand the difference between IBS and IBS-C? I don't think so considering I was twice misdiagnosed and told to eat a high fiber diet.
I was also recently given amitiza and it doesn't work for me. My doctor is giving this to all of her patients who no longer have Zelnorm. I now have horrible headaches ...still no BM. I now have horrible chest pains too. This is from constipation, not Zelnorm.

[Kristen]

I have a friend who takes something called, "Experience" for constipation and swears by it! Constipation sufferers should try it since there is no more zelnorm. Good luck!