Abstract | BACKGROUND: AIM: To assess whether tegaserod retreatment is as efficacious and well-tolerated as initial treatment in a primary care setting. METHODS: This open-label trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of tegaserod under real-life conditions. Irritable bowel syndrome with constipation patients received tegaserod 6 mg b.d. for 12 weeks; response was assessed at weeks 4 and 12. Responders (those achieving satisfactory relief for at least 2 of the previous 4 weeks) at weeks 4 and/or 12 entered an 8-week withdrawal period where symptom recurrence was assessed. Patients experiencing recurrence could receive tegaserod 6 mg b.d. for another 4 weeks ( retreatment phase) and on completion, could choose to continue tegaserod in a 6-month extension study. RESULTS: A total of 513 patients received initial treatment with tegaserod; 85.0% (436 of 513) responded. 403 responders entered the withdrawal period; symptoms recurred in 83.9% (338 of 403) after a mean of 38 days. Of the 307 patients who subsequently entered retreatment 89.3% (274 of 307) responded. Among patients entering the retreatment period, 269 (87.6%) had responded within the first 4 weeks of initial treatment. Of these, 243 (90.3%) responded to tegaserod retreatment. Adverse events were infrequent and similar during 4 weeks of the initial treatment period (11.1%) and on retreatment (10.4%). The extension study, completed by 188 of 232 (81.0%) patients, demonstrated good long-term tolerability of tegaserod. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | S Müller-Lissner, G Holtmann, P Rueegg, G Weidinger, H Löffler |
Journal | Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics
(Aliment Pharmacol Ther)
Vol. 21
Issue 1
Pg. 11-20
(Jan 01 2005)
ISSN: 0269-2813 [Print] England |
PMID | 15644040
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Gastrointestinal Agents
- Indoles
- tegaserod
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Constipation
(drug therapy)
- Female
- Gastrointestinal Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Indoles
(therapeutic use)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
(drug therapy)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Recurrence
- Retreatment
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
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