WHAT IS IBS-C?

IBS-C involves repetitive abdominal pain & frequent constipation that typically have a negative effect on your quality of life

Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) is a condition in the gut that causes repetitive abdominal pain combined with frequent constipation.

the rule of 3 with ibs-c

You may have IBS-C if you are experiencing:

Fewer than

You may have IBS-C if you experience less than 3 bowels weekly

bowel movements in a week

Constipation with pain more than

You may have IBS-C if you experience constipation with pain for more than 3 days a month

days per month

Symptoms persisting over the past

months

Changes in stool consistency

At least

of stools can be described as hard

Less than

of stools can be described as soft

Your healthcare provider may rule out other conditions through blood and/or stool tests, a colonoscopy, a barium enema, and other tests.

If you experience the symptoms above for only a short time,
you may have occasional constipation, not IBS-C.
Check with your doctor to be sure

What causes your IBS-C symptoms?

Diet may be a cause of IBS-C. The exact cause is unknown. Researchers believe there are a variety of factors involved

A disconnect between the brain’s signals to the gut may be a cause of IBS-C

Increased pain sensitivity in your gut's ENS may be a cause of IBS-C. Serotonin plays a role with this pain sensitivity

Disturbances in colon muscles may be one of a variety of IBS-C causes. The exact cause is unknown

The exact cause of IBS-C is unknown. Researchers believe there are a variety of factors involved. In fact, the pain in your gut may be caused by its own nervous system.

The gut has a mind of its own

If your IBS-C symptoms have you feeling like your gut has a mind of its own, it’s because, in a way, it does. Your gut has its own nervous system, the enteric nervous system (ENS), which may be the cause of your symptoms.

In this nervous system, we have neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate with each other. Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter responsible for various actions—including digestion.

Serotonin (5-HT) is a key neurotransmitter within your gut’s nervous system (ENS) responsible for actions such as motility, pain sensitivity & still consistency

The gut’s nervous system sends signals that regulate digestive function and bowel movement. While there can be many causes of IBS-C, a disruption in signaling may lead to constipation, bloating, and pain.

See how ZELNORM works differently by stimulating the gut muscles

What is ZELNORM?

ZELNORM™ (tegaserod) is a prescription medicine used to treat adult women less than 65 years of age with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C).

Important Safety Information

ZELNORM is for use in adult women under 65 years of age who do not have a history of ischemic cardiovascular disease and who have no more than one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease risk factors include active smoking, high blood pressure or history of being treated with medicines that lower blood pressure, high cholesterol or are taking medicine to lower your blood cholesterol levels, history of diabetes, age 55 years or over, or obesity. Talk to your healthcare provider about risk factors you may have for a major cardiovascular event before you start taking ZELNORM.

Do not take ZELNORM if you:

have had a heart attack, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or angina.
have severe kidney problems or end-stage kidney disease, or moderate or severe liver problems.
have or have had inflammation and injury of the intestines caused by reduced blood flow to the intestines (ischemic colitis), intestinal blockage (bowel obstruction), gallbladder problems that caused symptoms, or scar tissue that formed between the tissues and other organs in the abdomen; have or may have had a problem with the muscular valve that controls the flow of digestive juices to the first part of your intestine (sphincter of Oddi).
are allergic to ZELNORM.

What are the possible side effects of ZELNORM?

ZELNORM can cause serious side effects, including:

Major cardiovascular events, such as stroke, heart attack, and death have happened in adults taking ZELNORM who had an increased risk of a cardiovascular event. Talk to your healthcare provider about cardiovascular risk factors you may have before you start taking ZELNORM, and get emergency medical help right away if you have signs or symptoms of a heart attack, stroke, mini stroke (TIA), or angina (chest pain caused by your heart not getting enough oxygen).
Ischemic colitis and other problems of the intestines caused by reduced blood flow to the intestines, that sometimes require hospitalization, have happened in some people taking ZELNORM. Stop taking ZELNORM and get medical help if you have symptoms such as rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, or new or worsening stomach-area (abdominal) pain.
Diarrhea is a common side effect of ZELNORM, and it can sometimes be severe. Stop taking ZELNORM and call your healthcare provider right away if you have severe diarrhea, especially if you also feel lightheaded or dizzy, or if you faint.
ZELNORM may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior. You, your caregiver, and your family should monitor you for changes in behavior. If you have any new or worsening symptoms of depression, unusual changes in mood or behavior, begin to have suicidal thoughts or behavior, or thoughts of self-harm, stop taking ZELNORM right away and tell your healthcare provider.

The most common side effects of ZELNORM are headache, stomach-area (abdominal) pain, nausea, diarrhea, gas, indigestion, and dizziness.

Before you take ZELNORM, tell your healthcare provider:

if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ZELNORM will harm your unborn baby.
if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ZELNORM passes into breast milk. You should not breastfeed if you take ZELNORM.
if you are an active smoker.
if you have or have had high blood pressure or are taking medicine to lower your blood pressure.
if you have or have had high blood cholesterol levels or are taking medicine to lower your blood cholesterol levels.
if you have or have had diabetes.
if you are having diarrhea or have diarrhea often.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

To report possible adverse reactions, contact Alfasigma USA at 1-855-697-9232. You may also report possible adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please also see the Medication Guide within the full Prescribing Information.