Why was alosetron taken off the market?
Alosetron hydrochloride (Lotronex), a prescription drug manufactured by GlaxoWellcome, and used to treat irritable bowel syndrome in women, has been withdrawn after reports of serious complications.
What is alosetron used to treat?
Alosetron is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women who have diarrhea as their main symptom. This medicine is only used in severe cases of IBS that have not responded to other therapy. IBS is also known as irritable colon or spastic colon.
Why is Alosetron only used in females?
In contrast to age, sex was associated with significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of alosetron, independent of smoking habit and body weight. The clearance of alosetron by metabolism was lower in women than in men.
What is the adverse outcome of Alosetron?
Alosetron may cause serious gastrointestinal (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines) side effects including ischemic colitis (decreased blood flow to the bowels) and severe constipation that may need to be treated in a hospital and may rarely cause death.
What is generic for alosetron?
Lotronex (Generic: Alosetron) IBS Drug Side Effects and Dosage.
Is Lotronex over the counter?
Until recently, the only over the counter options available to treat this condition has been Immodium for diarrhea or Metamucil for constipation. To fulfill the increasing need among patients and doctors for a viable treatment, the pharmaceutical industry then responded with two drugs, Zelnorm and Lotronex.
Why is alosetron only used in females?
Who can take alosetron?
Alosetron hydrochloride tablets are indicated only for women with severe diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who have:
- chronic IBS symptoms (generally lasting 6 months or longer),
- had anatomic or biochemical abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract excluded, and.
Can alosetron be used in males?
Currently, alosetron is only registered for women and ramosetron only for men with severe IBS-D.
What are the side effects of alosetron?
Common side effects of Lotronex include:
- headache.
- stomach upset or discomfort.
- hemorrhoids.
- bloating.
- gas.
- nausea.
- constipation.
- burping with heartburn.
Is alosetron expensive?
The cost for alosetron oral tablet 0.5 mg is around $365 for a supply of 30 tablets, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans.
What is the best over-the-counter medicine for irritable bowel syndrome?
For gas, bloating, and abdominal pain
- Gas-X Extra Strength Softgel for Fast Gas Relief.
- IBgard for the Dietary Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
- Iberogast Dietary Supplement to Support the Digestive System.
- Metamucil Fiber Supplement.
- Imodium Multi-Symptom Relief Anti-Diarrheal Medicine Caplets.
- Miralax Laxative Powder.
What kind of drug is alosetron?
Alosetron is in a class of medications called 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. Alosetron works by slowing the movement of stool (bowel movements) through the intestines.
How long does it take alosetron to start working?
Alosetron does not improve the symptoms of IBS for everyone. This medicine can help reduce stomach pain and discomfort, bowel urgency, and diarrhea. Some or all symptoms may improve within 1 to 2 weeks of treatment.
What are the side effects of Alosetron?
Is there a generic for Alosetron?
How much does lotronex cost?
The cost for Lotronex oral tablet 0.5 mg is around $1,224 for a supply of 30 tablets, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans.
Has IBS ever been cured?
Despite decades of research, there is still no cure for IBS, which is a chronic condition for most diagnosed individuals, frustrating both patients and physicians.