Zelnorm Heart Attack Warning

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Zelnorm (generically known as tegaserod maleate) is a prescription medication used to treat severe cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals and was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002. A Zelnorm recall was issued by the manufacturer on March 30, 2007, due to clinical trial results linking Zelnorm to serious adverse cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarctions, commonly known as heart attacks.

What is a Heart Attack?

A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart is disrupted. The lack of oxygenated blood damages the heart tissue, even killing the cells of the heart, which do not regenerate. Collagen growths form in place of the dead cells, permanently scarring the heart. Over 1.2 million people every year suffer a heart attack and it is estimated that a person dies of a heart attack in the United States every 65 seconds.

The appearance of heart attack symptoms is often gradual, slowly emerging over several minutes. Chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack, described as a tightness or feeling of pressure on the chest. Other classic symptoms include shortness of breath, weakness, nausea, sweating, vomiting, anxiety, and palpitations. One third of heart attacks are silent, without the pain in the chest or any of the other symptoms manifesting.

A heart attack is considered a medical emergency with immediate treatment needed if a heart attack is suspected. These immediate treatments include aspirin, pain relief, oxygen, and glyceryl trinitrate. Further treatments include medications to break up any blood clots that block the blood flow to the heart and/or restoring the blood flow mechanically by either dilatation or bypass surgery. Heart attacks are considered the leading cause of death in both men and women.

The data linking Zelnorm to higher incidences of heart attacks was compiled from 29 individual studies conducted by Novartis Pharmaceuticals. Although the total number of adverse cardiovascular events was small, the percentage of events in patients that were taking Zelnorm was much higher than in the patients taking a placebo. Based on this data, the FDA determined that the risks of taking the medication outweighed the perceived benefits and requested that the manufacturer issue a Zelnorm recall, which was complied with in March of 2007. As a result, Zelnorm will no longer be marketed or sold in the United States pending further discussions between the FDA and Norvartis Pharmaceuticals.

Our Experience - IBS Drug Litigation
Why You Should Choose Schmidt & Clark, LLP

“Our law firm has substantial expertise in the areas of gastrointestinal disorders such as IBS and the medications used to treat them."

Recently, the firm acted as lead counsel in the successful resolution of several hundred consumer claims involving the drug Lotronex® (alosetron), another IBS drug that was taken off the market because of serious side effects such as ischemic colitis (bleeding of the bowel) and bowel obstructions. Lotronex® was used to treat people with diarrhea-predominant IBS, but its pharmacology and mechanism of action is very similar to Zelnorm®. Both drugs act on a neurotransmitter substance called serotonin which effects numerous functions of the body, including “gut motility” (operation of the bowel), but also the brain and cardiovascular system.

Our attorneys are able to draw upon the pool of experience gained in Lotronex® and other products liability litigations to appropriately investigate, evaluate, and pursue potential Zelnorm® claims.

If you or a loved one have taken Zelnorm and suffered a serious cardiovascular or gastrointestinal side effect, you should contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.

Types of Zelnorm Side Effects we are Investigating

• Ischemic Colitis (acute or chronic)
• Intestinal Ischemia and/or Colonic Ischemia
• Heart Attack
• Stroke
• Angina Pectoris
• Dead Bowel
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Chron's Disease
• Serious Cardiovascular Injuries
• Serious Gastrointestinal Injuries

Do I have a Zelnorm Lawsuit?

The Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in Zelnorm lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Zelnorm cases in all 50 states.

Attention Attorneys: We do not publish prior verdict/settlements. If you are an attorney and would like to refer us a case or for us to send you a profile of prior award judgments or average referral fees, please visit the attorney referral section of our website.

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