The FDA approved Zelnorm to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women and chronic idiopathic constipation. Zelnorm is a popular drug with over a half-million users in the United States. Zelnorm use, however, has been linked to severe and fatal cardiovascular side effects including:

Zelnorm Cardiovascular Side Effects: Angina

Angina is chest discomfort or pain that occurs when heart muscles lack oxygen. Angina feels like squeezing or pressure in the chest. Some believe it feels like indigestion. An estimated seven million Americans experience angina, with an additional 400,000 new cases every year. Angina occurs equally in men and women. The main symptoms of Angina are chest pain and chest discomfort.

Related Topics

Zelnorm Cardiovascular Side Effects: Heart Attack

Heart attacks are a potentially fatal cardiovascular side effect of Zelnorm. Heart attacks occur when blood flow to heart muscles are blocked. This deprives the heart muscle cells of oxygen and the cells begin to die. This eventually leads to heart tissue death and heart failure.

 Heart attacks symptoms include:

     
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest discomfort
  • Upper body discomfort (including back, arms, neck, jaw, or stomach)

Zelnorm Cardiovascular Side Effects: Stroke

Strokes affect the arteries leading to and within the brain. Strokes occur when blood vessels in the brain are blocked or burst. This blocks the blood and oxygen flow to the brain, causing brain cells to die. Strokes can eventually lead to brain failure and death.

Warning signs of a stroke include sudden:

     
  • Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
  • Confusion
  • Trouble seeing
  • Dizziness
  • Severe headache

Zelnorm Linked to Cardiovascular Side Effects

Novartis, Zelnorm’s manufacturer, announced that Zelnorm use has been linked to serious cardiovascular side effects. The announcement was based on 29 Zelnorm studies, which monitored a combined 18,600 patients for one to three months. 11,600 patients were treated with Zelnorm and the others were treated with a placebo. The studies concluded that thirteen patients (0.11%) treated with Zelnorm developed cardiovascular side effects; only one placebo treated patient developed a cardiovascular side effect.

Zelnorm Recall Based on Cardiovascular Side Effects

In March 2007, Novartis withdrew Zelnorm from the market after studies revealed that Zelnorm users faced an increased risk of cardiovascular side effects, including angina, heart attacks, and strokes.

Injured by Zelnorm’s Cardiovascular Side Effects?

If you or someone you love has suffered a cardiovascular side effect after Zelnorm use, please contact us today to determine if you have a case and are entitled to compensation.