Tegaserod: a new 5-HT4 agonist.
Tegaserod is a medication that has been shown to be of benefit in women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) associated with abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation. Tegaserod is a selective serotonin receptor subtype 4 partial agonist designed to interact with the network of cells and nerves throughout the gastrointestinal tract that use serotonin. Tegaserod has been shown to modulate both gastrointestinal motility and visceral sensitivity. Specifically, it increases the peristaltic reflex and decreases visceral sensitivity. Clinical studies have shown that tegaserod improves symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation in women with IBS. This article discusses the role of serotonin in gastrointestinal tract physiology, the structure and pharmacokinetic profile of tegaserod, and clinical applications of this new drug.
Lacy
Brian E
BE
Marvin M. Schuster Center for Digestive and Motility Disorders, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA. blacy@jhmi.edu
Yu
Shaoyong
S
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D007211:Indoles; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D012701:Serotonin; C105050:tegaserod