Irritable Bowel Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Irritable Bowel Syndrome, including details on treatment, symptoms, digestion, nutrition, diet, drugs.

The rationale, efficacy and safety evidence for tegaserod in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

McLaughlin J, Houghton LA

Department of Gastroenterology, Hope Hospital, Salford, Manchester, M6 8HD, UK.

A growing body of evidence implicates abnormal serotonergic regulation of gastrointestinal function in the pathogenesis of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Drugs targeting this system are therefore attractive concepts. The partial 5-HT4 receptor agonist tegaserod might be predicted to have positive therapeutic effects on a constipated and uncomfortable gut. However, IBS runs a chronic, benign course and carries no associated mortality, so it is imperative that the safety profile of new pharmacological agents made available to physicians is exemplary. The authors review the evidence for 5-HT in the aetiology of IBS and its symptoms, and the data available concerning the partial 5-HT4 receptor agonist tegaserod, in terms of rationale, efficacy and safety.

Published 28 February 2006 in Expert Opin Drug Saf, 5(2): 313-27.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Irritable Bowel Syndrome Research Today. All Rights Reserved.