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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
*+ Not commercially available in the U.S. and Canada.
Alosetron (a-LOE-se-tron) is a medicine used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women who have diarrhea as their main symptom. IBS has been called by many names, including irritable colon and spastic colon. IBS is a medical condition causing cramping abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, urgency (a sudden need to have a bowel movement), and irregular bowel habits, such as diarrhea and constipation. It is not clear why some people develop IBS. It may be caused by your body's overreaction to a body chemical called serotonin. This overreaction may cause your intestinal system to be overactive. Alosetron works by blocking the action of serotonin on the intestinal system. This reduces the cramping abdominal pain, abdominal discomfort, urgency, and diarrhea caused by IBS.
Alosetron was withdrawn from the U.S. market by GlaxoWellcome on request of the Food and Drug Administration in November 2000.
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For alosetron, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to alosetron. Also, tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy--Alosetron has not been studied in pregnant women. However, alosetron has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.
Breast-feeding--It is not known whether alosetron passes into human breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children--Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of alosetron in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults--This medicine has been tested and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may
affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have
any other medical problems, especially constipation , Crohn's disease, diverticulitis,
intestinal adhesions, obstructions or strictures, ischemic colitis, ulcerative
colitis, or toxic megacolon. This medicine
may be taken with or without food. Constipation occurring during therapy with alosetron may be treated with
laxatives, fiber, or a brief interruption in therapy. Your doctor will help
you with constipation that may occur during therapy. Dosing--The dose of alosetron may be different for
different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the
directions on the label
. The following information includes only the
average doses of alosetron. If your dose is different,
do not change it
unless your doctor tells you to do so. The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed
between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the
medical problem for which you are taking alosetron.
Proper Use of This Medicine
Missed dose--If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage--To store this medicine:
If you will be taking this medicine for a long time, it is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits .
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less Common
Constipation, severe
Rare
Abdominal tenderness, pain; fever; rectal bleeding ; stomach cramps
watery or bloody diarrhea
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of Overdose
Convulsions (seizures); clumsiness, unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination; difficulty breathing; shakiness and unsteady walk; withdrawn or socially detached behavior
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More Common
Constipation, mild or moderate
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 04/18/2000
Revised: 12/19/2000
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