Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
tablet
- 6mg
Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation
Indicated for adult women aged <65 years who have irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C)
Women aged <65 years: 6 mg PO BID 30 min ac; discontinue if IBS-C symptoms not controlled after 4-6 weeks of treatment
Women aged ≥65 years: Not indicated
Men: Not indicated
Dosage Modifications
Renal impairment
- Mild-to-moderate (eGFR ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m²): No dosage adjustment required
- Severe (eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m²) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD): Contraindicated
Hepatic impairment
- Mild (Child-Pugh A): No dosage adjustment required
- Moderate or severe (Child-Pugh B or C): Contraindicated
Dosing Considerations
Limitations of use: Safety and effectiveness in men with IBS-C have not been established
Safety and efficacy not established
Not indicated for aged ≥65 years
Adverse Effects
>10%
Headache (14%)
Abdominal pain (11%)
1-10%
Nausea (8%)
Diarrhea (8%)
Flatulence (6%)
Dyspepsia (4%)
Dizziness (4%)
Anemia (<2%)
Vertigo (<2%)
Rectal hemorrhage (<2%)
Asthenia (<2%)
Increased CPK (<2%)
Increased appetite (<2%)
Arthropathy (<2%)
Tendonitis (<2%)
Migraine (<2%)
<1%
Cardiovascular (CV) ischemic events (0.06-0.1%)
Suicidal ideation/behavior (0.08%)
Major adverse cardiac events (MACE), overall population (0.03-0.06%)
MACE, female population (0.01-0.03%)
Postmarketing Reports
Ischemic colitis, mesenteric ischemia, gangrenous bowel, and rectal bleeding
Severe diarrhea resulting in syncope, hypotension, hypovolemia, electrolyte disorders
Sphincter of Oddi spasm; bile duct stone; cholecystitis with elevated transaminases; elevation in ALT, AST, and bilirubin; hepatitis
Alopecia
Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis
Warnings
Contraindications
History of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or angina
History of ischemic colitis or other forms of intestinal ischemia
Severe renal impairment (eGFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m²) or ESRD
Moderate and severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh B or C)
History of bowel obstruction, symptomatic gallbladder disease, suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, or abdominal adhesions
Hypersensitivity
Cautions
Stroke, MI, and CV death (MACE) have been reported in adults who had an increased CV risk based on their medical history; contraindicated with history of MI, stroke, TIA, or angina; assess women aged <65 yr for a history of CV disease/risk factors before initiating; discontinue if MI, stroke, TIA, or angina occurs
Ischemic colitis and other forms of intestinal ischemia reported, including cases requiring hospitalization; discontinue if symptoms develop, such as rectal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, or new or worsening abdominal pain
Diarrhea commonly occurs; may result in rare, but serious consequences, including hypovolemia, hypotension, and syncope; avoid use with current or frequently occurring diarrhea
Suicide, suicidal attempt and ideation, and self-injurious behavior reported in clinical trials of IBS-C and other gastrointestinal motility disorders; frequency of suicidal ideation or attempts with tegaserod treatment (8 of 10,003 patients) was higher than with placebo (1 of 5,425 patients) and more frequent among patients receiving antidepressants; monitor for worsening depression and emergence of suicidal thoughts and behaviors; instruct patients to discontinue immediately and contact their physician if symptoms emerge or worsen
Pregnancy
Pregnancy
Available data from case reports with use in pregnant women have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes
Animal studies
- Decreased survival of rat pups observed with maternal dietary administration of tegaserod at 71 times the recommended dose during organogenesis and through lactation
- Decreased body weight and delays in developmental landmarks in rat pups were observed with maternal dietary administration of 45 times the recommended dose
Lactation
There are no data regarding the presence in human milk, effects on breastfed infants, or on milk production
Tegaserod and its metabolites are present in rat milk; the milk-to-plasma concentration ratio for tegaserod is very high
When a drug is present in animal milk, it is likely that the drug will be present in human milk
Because of the potential for serious reactions in the breastfed infant, including tumorigenicity, advise lactating women not to breastfeed during tegaserod treatment
Pregnancy Categories
A:Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B:May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C:Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D:Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X:Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA:Information not available.
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Serotonin type-4 (5-hydroxytryptamine-4 [5-HT4]) receptor partial agonist
Stimulates the peristaltic reflex and intestinal secretion, inhibits visceral sensitivity, enhances basal motor activity, and normalizes impaired motility throughout the gastrointestinal tract
Absorption
Bioavailability: ~10% (fasting)
Peak plasma time: ~1 hr
Peak plasma concentration: 2.9 ng/mL
AUC: 10.5 h·ng/mL (single dose); increases proportionally at steady-state over dosage range
Food: Reduces peak plasma concentration by ~20-40% and AUC by 40-65%
Distribution
Vd: 368 L
Protein bound: 98%
Metabolism
Metabolized via hydrolysis and direct glucuronidation; undergoes hydrolysis in stomach followed by oxidation and conjugation, which produces the M29 metabolite (negligible affinity for 5-HT4)
Elimination
Half-life: 4.6-8.1 hr
Plasma clearance: 77 L/hr (IV administration)
Excretion: ~66% feces (unchanged); ~33% urine (as metabolites)
Administration
Oral Administration
Take at least 30 minutes before meals
Storage
Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F)
Protect from moisture
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Patient Handout
Formulary
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