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Tegaserod (Zelnorm), a serotonergic drug that stimulates gastrointestinal peristalsis and secretion, is FDA-approved for treatment of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome in women and for chronic idiopathic constipation in people younger than 65. In this industry-sponsored, double-blind, multicenter, randomized trial, 1264 adults with chronic constipation (mean age, 46; 86% women) received either twice-daily tegaserod (6 or 2 mg) or placebo for 12 weeks. Constipation was defined as fewer than three complete spontaneous bowel movements weekly, with at least one other symptom (straining, incomplete evacuation, hard stools) occurring at least 25% of the time.
Patients with an average increase of at least one complete spontaneous bo…