The recall of Zelnorm was hasty and poorly thought out. For some the difference between being able to take it and not being able to take it, means the difference between a life of good quality vs. poor quality.
The majority of the people who experienced negative-and sometimes fatal-side effects were in the age range of 50's and up. This means that people who were in a younger age group did not suffer any of these effects. In fact, many benefited greatly from Zelnorm in the younger age bracket, and, since being off of it, have experienced returns of gastrointestinal symptoms previously better managed with Zelnorm, as well as newer symptoms. In short, their gastrointestinal problems increased greatly, causing symptoms such as gastric reflux, stomach cramping, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, reduced appetite.
Zelnorm has been off the market for a number of years now. For many of the people who had been taking it, this means their level of daily function without it has deteriorated. For some, Zelnorm is the only drug that help them or that seems to work. So, I feel it's of utmost importance that Zelnorm be put back out on the market and be made available to the public again. Everyone should certainly be made aware of the potential side effects and dangers of Zelnorm, and, if they're fine with this, and, the benefit from taking it outweighs risks, people should be allowed to take it again.
