What is Zelnorm?
Zelnorm is a medicine used for the short-term treatment of women who have irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. What is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? IBS is a disorder that interferes with the normal functions of the large intestine (colon). With IBS, the nerves and muscles in the bowel are extra-sensitive. For example, the muscles may contract too much when you eat. These contractions can cause cramping and diarrhea during or shortly after a meal. Or the nerves can be overly sensitive to the stretching of the bowel (because of gas, for example). Cramping or pain can result. The cause of IBS is not known. How does Zelnorm work? Zelnorm works by increasing the movement of stools through the bowels. For those patients who are helped, Zelnorm reduces pain and discomfort in the abdominal area, bloating, and constipation. Why did the FDA want Zelnorm off the market? Because the risks outweighed the benefits. Studies showed that patients on Zelnorm had an increased risk of serious ca
