Jeffrey Roberts Posted August 28, 2019 Report Share Posted August 28, 2019 Zelnorm is a medication for constipation predominant IBS (IBS-C) that is returning to the market in the US after it was off the market for some years. It was re-approved early this year by the FDA and is now in pharmacies again. Zelnorm works differently than other medications for constipation. It increases the amount of serotonin in the gut in order to cause a bowel movement and relieve abdominal pain. More information about Zelnorm can be found here. Is there anyone who has been able to try Zelnorm (tegaserod) again for constipation predominant IBS (IBS-C)? I would be interested to know if it is working for you like it did when it was on the market before. or What was the perspective you had when you last used Zelnorm before it was removed from the market? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted October 11, 2019 Report Share Posted October 11, 2019 I have had ibs-c as long as I can remember. I have always liked (loved) Zelnorm and it broke my heart when it was taken off the market. I finally got my Zelnorm and I hope this isn't pre-mature as I have only taken it once, but it works. I really hope the medicine does well and sticks around. Although this is clearly my opinion, it is the best motility drug available. I'm not sure why it is only for women, hopefully that will change. So since I have only taken it once, I will give my perspective from previous usage. As with many medicines, how you take something can really matter. If I'm only taking it once, I would wait at least four hours after dinner. If in the morning, an hour before breakfast. I notice some old reviews stating it stops working as well. There is something about it that builds up and the only way to reset it is to stop taking it for a few weeks. I have heard motegrity is the same and you can't use one to take a break from the other. Not to worry, it is not something that needs to be done often. For me, Zelnorm is the closest thing to feeling like a normal person. I'm still pinching myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Roberts Posted October 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2019 That sounds promising! I hope the good results continue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bungeedog Posted November 22, 2019 Report Share Posted November 22, 2019 I too, took it till it was taken off the market and grieved when it was unavailable. Made my life a nightmare. Resolor has not done anything for motility for me but has eliminated pain, but when I went to fill a script for Zelnorm (FINALLY THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL no pun intended) the cost made me not fill it....366 per month after insurance? That's insane. It was not that expensive before. Augh! Might as well not be available. Goodness our health care system is a mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Roberts Posted November 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2019 That's unfortunate about the price. Zelnorm is now marketed by a much smaller company than before. Hopefully they will introduce a Patient Savings program at some point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miki Posted November 25, 2019 Report Share Posted November 25, 2019 That does seem like a really high price for going through the insurance. It seems like the pricing they would give when a drug has a generic and brand is requested as some insurance companies don't care about dispense as written. Mine got covered with an exception for $70 even though I should have payed nothing with max out of pocket. Unfortunately I will lose my Zelnorm coverage in January. Although I will have the same insurance, the drug plan is different so the exception has to be done again...they can't just look at their records. Not shocking for an insurance company. Bungeedog, have you called to ask about the pricing? I know it is not fun to call insurance companies but that price is about $90 away from the cash price for 60pills. And yes, a patient savings card would work wonders because they usually just work if it is insured, even if the price is bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Roberts Posted December 2, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2019 Zelnorm does seem to have a co-pay available now. https://coupon.myzelnorm.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bungeedog Posted February 8, 2020 Report Share Posted February 8, 2020 Oh yes, I have called and called. The prescription assistance brings it down to around 260 a month or so. But I just turned 65 and all benefits stop when you reach that age thanks to the FDA's restriction of the drug after that point. My insurance doesn't have it in the formulary, neither does Medicare Part D. So the only option now is to purchase at the full price of...gulp...430 a month. But does it work? Heck yeah and beautifully. The drug is a godsend, truly, at least for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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