Tegaserod is used to relieve pain, bloating, and constipation caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS; a condition that causes stomach pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea) in women whose main symptom is constipation. This medication is also used to increase the frequency of bowel movements and relieve bloating, straining, and stomach pain in women and men with chronic idiopathic constipation (constipation that is not due to other diseases or medications and that has been a problem for longer than 6 months). Tegaserod is in a class of medications called serotonin agonists. It works by improving muscle movement and increasing production of fluid in the bowels.

Directions

Tegaserod comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day on an empty stomach shortly before a meal. Take tegaserod at around the same times every day. Follow the directions given to you by your doctor, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take tegaserod exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

If you have IBS with constipation, your doctor will probably tell you to take tegaserod for 4 to 6 weeks. If your symptoms improve, your doctor may tell you to take tegaserod for another 4 to 6 weeks. If you have chronic idiopathic constipation, you should talk to your doctor regularly to see if you should continue to take tegaserod. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling, and do not take tegaserod for longer than your doctor prescribes.

Tegaserod controls the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and chronic idiopathic constipation, but does not cure these conditions. Continue to take tegaserod even if you feel well. Do not stop taking tegaserod without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking tegaserod, your symptoms may return within 1 to 2 weeks.

Precautions

Before taking tegaserod,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tegaserod or any other medications.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, herbal products, or nutritional supplements you are taking. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have diarrhea now or if you often have diarrhea, and if you have or have ever had gallbladder, kidney, or liver disease; a blockage in your intestines or unexplained stomach pain; abdominal surgery (surgery on the area between your chest and hips); jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (blockage of bile or digestive juices flowing into the intestine that causes pain and/or jaundice); or ischemic colitis (decreased blood flow to the intestines causing rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, or stomach pain).
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking tegaserod, call your doctor. Do not breastfeed while you are taking tegaserod.
you may have some diarrhea, especially during your first week of taking tegaserod. However, if you have a lot of diarrhea, or if you also have severe cramping, dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, blurred vision, upset stomach or a fast heartbeat, you should stop taking tegaserod and call your doctor immediately.

Missed Dose

You should skip the missed dose. Wait until the next time you are supposed to take tegaserod, and then take your normal dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Side Effects

Tegaserod may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

headache
diarrhea
upset stomach
vomiting
gas
leg or back pain
joint pain or problems
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
runny nose, congestion, or other cold symptoms

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience either of the following symptoms or the symptoms mentioned in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:

rash
hives
itching
swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, or eyes
difficulty breathing and swallowing
hoarseness

People with IBS may need to have abdominal surgery (surgery on any part of the body between the chest and the hips), especially gall bladder surgery, more often than people who do not have IBS. People with IBS who took tegaserod needed this type of surgery somewhat more often than people who did not take tegaserod. It is not known if taking tegaserod increases your chance of needing abdominal surgery. Talk to your doctor about the risk of taking this medication.

You should know that tegaserod rarely may cause ischemic colitis (decreased blood flow to the bowels). Tell your doctor and stop taking tegaserod right away if you have new or worsening stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, rectal bleeding, or blood in your stools.

Tegaserod may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Storage

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Overdose Information

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

diarrhea
headache
stomach pain
gas
upset stomach
vomiting
dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting when getting up too quickly from a lying position