alosetron (Lotronex)

Introduction

Withdrawn from US market 11/2000.

See Notes: (below)

Indications

• irritable bowel syndrome in women with diarrhea as predominant symptom of >= 6 months duration who have not responded to conventional therapy

Adverse effects

• constipation (may be severe)
• ischemic colitis (reason for US market withdrawal)

Mechanism of action

• selective serotonin [5HT]-3 receptor antagonist

Notes

• prescribing physicians must be enrolled in the Prescribing Program for Lotronex (PPL)
• anatomic & biochemical abnormalities of the GI tract must be excluded
• pharmacists can only dispense prescriptions that have a PPL Sticker

More general terms

• gastrointestinal agent

Additional terms

• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• serotonin [5HT]-3 receptor

Database

• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=2099
• PubChem: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?cid=60758