Two drugs have been withdrawn from the market after studies showed that some patients treated with these pharmaceuticals had serious cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks, stroke, and damage to their heart valves.
These dangerous drugs go by the brand names Zelnorm and Permax. Generic names are listed below.
The Recalled Pharmaceutical Drugs
Zelnorm (tegaserod maleate)
Zelnorm is used for women with irritable bowel syndrome and patients with constipation.
Patients who have been taking tegaserod maleate should contact their healthcare professional immediately to discuss alternative treatments, and to have their cardivascular system checked for abnormalities.
Permax (pergolide) and other generic equivalents
Permax is a dopamine agonis used with levodopa and carbidopa to manage the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Patients currently taking pergolide should contact their doctor immediately to discuss alternative treatments and to have their heart valves checked for damage.
I was a patient that took zelnorm for quite some time until right before it was taken off the market because I stated to notice problems with my heart beat etc. whenever I took it. I have, since then noticed and more so recently more marked racing heart beats, palpitations, chest pain, fatigue, jaw pain, pain in my right arm but no dotors has done any test to make sure my heart was not damaged from the zelnorm, medicine. Should I go and get checked to make sure?
I was a patient that also took zelnorm up until I was taken to the hospital for palpitation&my heart was beating fast.When I got to the hospital they told me there was a recall on the drug¬ to take it no more. It’s been about a little over a year since I’ve taken zelnorm,but still been having the same problems.
When it was recalled i had just refilled my RX.I was told to call the company for a full refund.It has been all this time and i still have not heard about the refund offer
I was given Zelnorm by a gastro interologist in Roanoke, VA; despite my stated history (and THE reason I was there) of abdominal pain and adhesions. My experience was absolutely miserable. Diarreah was so bad, could not leave the house, gas, severe pain, and several other very uncomfortable and painful side effects. It was horrible.