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Zelnorm Side Effects

Generic name: tegaserod

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 27, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Zelnorm Side Effects associated with tegaserod. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Zelnorm.

Applies to tegaserod: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Zelnorm

Along with its needed effects, tegaserod (the active ingredient contained in Zelnorm) 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 while taking tegaserod:

More common side effects

  • diarrhea
  • stomach pain

Less common side effects

  • bleeding from the rectum
  • bloody stools
  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
  • headache, severe and throbbing
  • pale skin
  • sensation of spinning
  • troubled breathing with exertion
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare side effects

  • chest pain or discomfort
  • confusion
  • difficulty in speaking
  • double vision
  • headache
  • inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
  • inability to speak
  • nausea
  • pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
  • slow speech
  • sweating
  • thoughts or attempts at killing oneself
  • vomiting

Incidence not known

  • blurred vision
  • confusion
  • constipation
  • cough
  • dark urine
  • difficulty swallowing
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  • fast heartbeat
  • hives, itching, skin rash
  • indigestion
  • light-colored stools
  • new or worsening stomach pain
  • puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • severe diarrhea
  • severe nausea or vomiting
  • stomach pain, usually after eating a meal
  • stomach tenderness
  • sweating
  • tightness in the chest
  • upper right abdominal pain
  • yellow eyes and skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking tegaserod:

Symptoms of overdose

Other side effects of Zelnorm

Some side effects of tegaserod may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common side effects

  • belching
  • difficulty in moving
  • heartburn
  • increased appetite
  • indigestion
  • lack or loss of strength
  • muscle pain or stiffness
  • pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
  • stomach discomfort or upset

Incidence not known

  • thinning or loss of hair

Managing side effects (general information)

For healthcare professionals

Applies to tegaserod: oral tablet.

General adverse events

Side effects affecting the body as a whole have included accidental trauma (3% vs. 2% for placebo) and leg pain (1% vs. less than 1% for placebo). Other effects, regardless of causality, have included pain and facial edema.[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache, dizziness, migraine, insomnia, vertigo, and Raynaud's phenomenon.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, flatulence, abdominal distention and pain, vomiting, dyspepsia, gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux, hemorrhoids, and proctalgia. Irritable colon, fecal incontinence, tenesmus, increased appetite, eructation, appendicitis, bilirubinemia, subileus, sphincter of Oddi spasm, bile duct stone, ischemic colitis, mesenteric ischemia, gangrenous bowel, rectal bleeding, and increases in abdominal surgeries, primarily cholecystectomies, have also been reported; however, causality was not clearly established.[Ref]

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included increased SGOT and SGPT. Hepatitis, elevation in ALT, AST, and bilirubin have been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included increase in appetite, hypokalemia and hypovolemia secondary to diarrhea, and increased creatine phosphokinase.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included back pain, arthropathy, and myalgia. Other effects, regardless of causality, have included cramps.[Ref]

Oncologic

Oncologic side effects have included breast carcinoma.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included attempted suicide, impaired concentration, emotional lability, increased appetite, sleep disorder and depression.[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included asthma.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included pruritus. Alopecia has been reported during postmarketing experience.[Ref]

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects have included increased sweating.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included frequent micturition, polyuria, urinary tract infection, ovarian cyst, miscarriage, dysmenorrhea, and menorrhagia.[Ref]

Renal

Renal side effects have included renal pain and albuminuria.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included hypotension, angina pectoris, syncope, arrhythmia, bundle branch block, supraventricular tachycardia, and flushing. A case of myocardial infarction has been reported.[Ref]

Myocardial infarction has been reported in a 64-year-old male after receiving two doses of tegaserod 6 mg.[Ref]

References

1. (2002) "Product Information. Zelnorm (tegaserod)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals

2. Morganroth J, Ruegg PC, Dunger-Baldauf C, Appel-Dingemanse S, Bliesath H, Lefkowitz M (2002) "Tegaserod, a 5-hydroxytryptamine type 4 receptor partial agonist, is devoid of electrocardiographic effects." Am J Gastroenterol, 97, p. 2321-7

3. Busti AJ, Murillo JR Jr, Cryer B (2004) "Tegaserod-induced myocardial infarction: case report and hypothesis." Pharmacotherapy, 24, p. 526-31

4. Bertoli R, Girardin F, Russmann S, Lauterburg BH (2003) "Raynaud's phenomenon induced by drugs acting on neurotransmission: two cases under reboxetine and one under tegaserod." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 58, p. 717

Frequently asked questions

Further information

Zelnorm side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer