What Consumers Should Do If They've Taken Zelnorm

If you’re a consumer that has taken Zelnorm for any amount of time from 2002 until the Zelnorm recall in March 2007, you should be aware of the significant threat of heart attacks and strokes that caused the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to pull the product off the market.

Zelnorm is a medication used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women and also for patients under the age of 65 who suffer chronic constipation. It has been extremely popular and the manufacturer, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, has reported staggering earnings from its sale.

The drug, one of the 200 most prescribed drugs in the U.S., has had its share of problems even before it was pulled off the market earlier this year. In 2004, the FDA warned consumers that they could experience severe Zelnorm side effects, such as diarrhea and ischemic colitis. It wasn’t until March of 2007 that the company provided the FDA with reports that users had a greater risk of heart attacks and strokes while taking the medication.

If you’ve taken Zelnorm, the FDA recommends:

  • Patients who are currently using Zelnorm should contact their physician to discuss alternative treatment options;
  • Patients taking Zelnorm should seek emergency medical attention if they experience severe chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or other symptoms of a heart attack or stroke; and
  • Physicians who have patients taking Zelnorm should transition those patients to other therapies as appropriate.
  • Patients who have Zelnorm in their home should contact Novartis for information on how to return unused portions for reimbursement.

What a Zelnorm Lawyer Can Do For You

An experienced Zelnorm lawyer can help you with all aspects of your case. He or she will know the basics like who to name as parties and the best place to file the Zelnorm lawsuit. He or she will also know how to handle the negotiations and preparation for trial necessary in Zelnorm litigation. Cases involving pharmaceutical drugs are very specialized and require a great deal of expertise, both in terms of investigating the drug and of dealing with the attorneys who represent large companies like Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Check out the following articles for more information about Zelnorm, filing a Zelnorm lawsuit and finding an Zelnorm attorney.

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