If you are a female suffering from conditions relating to IBS such as diarrhea and bloating, and if your symptoms have not been helped through other treatments, your doctor may have prescribed Lotronex.

It's important to know that clinical trials suggest that medications which decrease gastrointestinal motility such as Lotronex may put an individual at serious risk for complications of constipation. Patients at higher risk include the elderly and those who are in a weakened condition.

Lotronex Side Effects & Warnings Relating to Lotronex

- Complications of Lotronex include but are not limited to: surgery, blood transfusion, ischemic colitis and death. Ischemic colitis effects approximately 3 in ever 1,000 individuals and occurs over a 6-month period. Ischemic colitis leads to impaired blood flow to large bowel, thus presenting serious complications.

- Individuals currently experiencing constipation should not take Lotronex, including individuals who have a prior history of complications due to constipation, including bowel blockages.

- Lotronex is metabolized by the liver and therefore should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment.

Lotronex Warnings

- Individuals who experience constipation while taking Lotronex should notify their doctor without delay.

- Once an individual has stopped taking Lotronex, it should not be taken again without a doctor's approval.

- Individuals experiencing abdominal pain or blood in bowel movements should contact their doctor immediately.

- Individuals with diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and severe liver disease should not take Lotronex.

- Lotronex should not be taken with Luvox® (fluvoxamine).

- Individuals who are pregnant, lactating or planning to get pregnant should discuss such with their doctor prior to taking Lotronex.

Lotronex Dosages & Ingredients

Lotronex may be prescribed in 0.5 mg to 1 mg dosage in tablet form. Patients are required to sign a Patient-Physician Agreement with their doctor before taking Lotronex.

Lotronex may be taken alone or with food. General dosage is a 0.5 mg tablet taken two times per day for four weeks which may be increased to 1 mg two times per day when symptoms are controlled and the patient benefits.

However, if after four additional weeks, the 1 mg proves ineffective in relieving symptoms related to IBS, Lotronex is unlikely to help.

Active Ingredient in Lotronex: alosetron hydrochloride

Inactive Ingredients in Lotronex: lactose (anhydrous), magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch. White film coat on 0.5 mg tablet contains: hypromellose, titanium dioxide, and triacetin. Blue film coat on 1 mg tablet contains: hypromellose, titanium dioxide, triacetin, and indigo carmine.

In Summary

Lotronex may be ideal for many patients experiencing painful IBS symptoms, but Lotronex is not right for everyone.

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