Comments on: Zelnorm By Novartis: Risks Outweigh Benefits

By: mark

mark — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:46:13 +0000

It’s a recurring theme in modern medicine. Drugs have different effects on people, in both the good and bad. In the good way, certain drugs work for certain people. Case in point may be Mayday who commented here, for Mayday Zelnorm worked like a charm. But in the bad way, drugs can also not work or even have harmful side effects. These differing effects are not surprising at all, given that we are all genetically different. Why should we expect a single formula to work for everyone? I hope changes in big pharma will start to take these genetic differences into account in the near future.

By: Mayda

Mayda — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:34:15 +0000

I commented a few months ago regarding Zelnorm. As I said, I went to the GI dr. who didn’t offer any hope or help. So I started trying different things on my own that would help me. I did find a place where I could get generic Zelnorm. I take one tablet a week along with stool softeners throughout the week — along with diet and exercise. I am so happy to say that that is the formula for me. It’s just enough to help with my SEVERE IBS w/severe constipation.
Thank you God…We did it together!!!

By: Dawn

Dawn — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:55:07 +0000

Of course Zelnorm is dangerous. It’s not tested on humans like it’s supposed to be. Novartis just cares about money and not helping people.

By: Mayday

Mayday — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 00:04:24 +0000

I have tried many, many different products to help with my IBS with CHRONIC constipation. It has almost become debilitating for me. I was what I eat, drink lots of water, exercise, have lost 35 pounds, with 15 more to go. I can’t tell you all the meds and stuff I’ve tried. I was devestated when they took Zelnorm off the market.
I just recently went to my GI doctor. He said if I continue to go this route, I could face having my colon REMOVED!!! Wow, what could I say to that!!!
I’m praying something will come about to safely return Zelnorm to the market. Otherwise, I’ll continue to do what I’m doing and pray it won’t get any worse for a long time!

By: Trudy Metzger

Trudy Metzger — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:46:14 +0000

True we are all entitled to our opinions but there’s also ‘hard reality’ to face – like it or not. While I’m not going to argue that Zelnorm helped some people, it is not accurate that there were always ‘pre-existing’ heart conditions.

Talk to the people who had the heart attacks and find out if the ‘data’ is accurate or not. Not only do I have about 1000 pages of research, with about 300 of those being directly from the FDA, I also had a heart attack. Age,36 with no pre-existing heart conditions or risk factors that should have prevented me from taking the medication. Add to that the fact that in my research I have found the family of another woman who should not have been at risk and she died on the medication, another in Quebec had a serious stoke with no predisposing risk factors.I have 2 more I’m researching and they are both in their 30′s, died and as far as we know had no pre-existing risk factors. If that truth isn’t frightening enough, I found these total strangers in the space of 24 hours and the lady in Quebec found me. I fear the ‘real stats’ are going to be much worse than the study data.

And from a young mother with little kids, I have to say it isn’t worth the risk. I can find more creative ways to make my tummy work than to pay big bucks to kill myself.

Last but not least, google tegaserod and 5ht receptors, or simply research the various 5ht receptors in our bodies and you will find an explanation as to ‘why’ we had heart attack and stroke problems on the drug. Cisipride (also a 5ht4 receptor agonist) that was a previous headache for the FDA (as well as the sponsoring company, and Alosetron (worked opposite to Zelnorm with the 5ht3 receptors) and other medications are worth researching to find how dangerous these medications really are.

At the very least, you should have to sign your life away – quite literally in this case – to have the drug prescribed. Accutane has strict controls and that is wise. The warnings should be played up rather than played down and then the public can decide if they really want to take that risk.

By: Ken

Ken — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 02:41:06 +0000

my website and my opinion but I do appreciate you coming by and commenting.

By: Reality Check

Reality Check — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 02:10:20 +0000

You are ignorant of the good Zelnorm has done for thousands and the pain many are suffering without it. Get into the research findings and you will see all of those that had heart problems had a pre-existing heart condition. If Zelnorm didn’t work for you, then fine. Maybe you have found what works for you and, if so, good. But your rambling against Zelnorm will keep many others in continued pain from IBS. Being a fellow IBS sufferer, you should understand this pain and seek whatever you can that will help them. Maybe your IBS hasn’t got bad enough yet, but it will, maybe. Then Zelnorm may be the only thing that could help and it won’t be available. Then you’ll understand. In the meantime, consider yourself fortunate.