Zelnorm's normal dose is 6 mg to times per day, usually during 4 to 12 weeks. Zelnorm can be taken with or without food. Doses for the older patients do not need to be lower than ones for younger patients.
About 20% of American adults may suffer from IBS. Zelnorm must be taken by mouth for the treatment of constipation and constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women. This chronic gastrointestinal disorder distinguished by discomfort or recurrent abdominal pain and altered bowel function which may also be causing constipation or diarrhea. The movement of food through the bowel is controlled by the intestinal muscles contractions, first of all those of the colon. In patients suffering form constipation, there are fewer contractions than in ones without constipation. The contractions can be controlled by serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical produced by intestine nerves. Having released by the nerves it transfers and binds to receptors on the area of surrounding nerves. It is a chemical that nerves use for intercommunications and it is called "neurotransmitter," a chemical messenger. When it binds to receptors on the nerves that control intestinal muscles contractions, that serotonin is being connected to different types of receptors can also stimulate or prevent contractions. Some kinds of receptors cause contractions, and other kinds of receptors block contractions. The serotonin 5-HT4 receptor is a receptor blocking contractions when serotonin binds to it. Zelnorm blocks the 5-HT4 receptor and hence serotonin can not bind to it. Consequently, it causes growth of the contractions. The increased contractions accelerate the digesting food transit and amend the constipation. Additionally, the sensitivity of the intestinal pain-sensing nerves is reduced by Zelnorm and it can because of that relieve the pain.
In case you miss a dose of this drug, skip it and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not exceed with 2 doses at once.
Store Zelnorm tablets at ambient temperature, 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C).
Zelnorm Safety information
Other medicine stimulating intestinal contractions will probably lead to more diarrhea if used with junction of Tegaserod. Do not take this drug if it causes an allergic reaction or you have allergic to any component in this product. It may take about 4 weeks for this medicine to work. Once you experience suddenly worsening stomach pain or different sensations compared to your usual IBS symptoms, quit taking this drug and call your doctor immediately. Discuss with your doctor in case you plan to exceed the recommended dose of this medicine. If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the advantages and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. It is unknown whether this drug is excreted in breast milk. You should not breast-feed while taking this medicine. Check with your doctor if your symptoms do not recover or if they become worse. Do not share this drugs with people for whom it was not ordered. Do not apply this medicine for other health conditions. Store this medicine out of the reach of children. If using this medicine for an prolonged period of time, take care about completion before supply runs out.
Zelnorm Side effects
Zelnorm is well tolerated in most patients. It is noticed that side effects of this medicine take place. Some of most frequently reported are headache (1 in 6 patients), abdominal pain (1 in 8), and diarrhea (1 in 11). Diarrhea has been reported significantly more frequently compared to treatment together with placebo (sugar pill).
In case of severe diarrhea takes place, it is necessary to hospitalize a patient for dehydration and requiring intravenous fluids. Ischemic colitis has been observed rarely in patients taking Tegaserod though it is unknown if there is a causal effect. Individuals with the signs of ischemic colitis-- bloody diarrhea, worsening abdominal pain --should stop taking Tegaserod and call their doctors.
