Examples

How It Works

Alosetron slows the movement of stools through the bowels.

Why It Is Used

Alosetron is used to treat severe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in some women who have failed to respond to other treatments for severe diarrhea.

How Well It Works

Studies have shown that alosetron improves abdominal discomfort and reduces diarrhea and urgency of bowel movements.¹

Side Effects

All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.

Here are some important things to think about:

• Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
• Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
• If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.

Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:

• Trouble breathing.
• Hives.
• Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Seizures.
• Problems with muscle control or coordination, such as clumsiness or trembling.

Call your doctor right away if you have:

• Pain or tenderness in the belly.
• A fever.
• Stomach cramps.
• Watery or bloody diarrhea.
• Bleeding from the rectum.

Common side effects of this medicine include:

• Constipation.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Alosetron can cause a very serious side effect called ischemic colitis. This happens when blood flow to the large intestine is reduced. Symptoms of ischemic colitis include severe constipation, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and bloody diarrhea. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking the medicine and call your doctor right away. If you have ischemic colitis, you may need surgery to fix it. Some people who got ischemic colitis while taking alosetron died. Because of this dangerous side effect, alosetron is only used in women who have severe IBS with diarrhea and who have not had success with any other treatment for IBS. People taking alosetron must sign a consent form before starting to take the medicine, and only certain doctors can prescribe this medicine.