Alosetron

Alosetron is used for:

Treating women with severe irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) accompanied by severe diarrhea (usually lasting for 6 months or more). It is only prescribed to women who do not respond to other medicines and is not to be used by women whose main IBS problem is constipation. Certain stomach or intestinal disorders must be ruled out before Alosetron is prescribed.

Alosetron is a selective 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist. It works by blocking the action of serotonin on the intestinal system. This reduces the cramping, stomach pain, stomach discomfort, urgency, and diarrhea caused by IBS.

Do NOT use Alosetron if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Alosetron
• you are constipated, you have a history of severe or long-term constipation, or your main IBS problem is constipation
• you have a history of blood flow problems to your intestine or bowels (eg, ischemic colitis)
• you have a history of severe liver problems, blood-clotting, or circulation problems; blood vessel inflammation; Crohn disease; diverticulitis; enlarged colon; perforation of the stomach, intestine, or bowel; paralysis of the intestinal tract; narrowing, growths, or scarring of the intestine; blockage of the bowel or intestine; or ulcerative colitis
• you are unable to understand or follow the patient-physician agreement for Alosetron
• you are taking fluvoxamine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Alosetron :

Tell your health care provider if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver problems or rectal bleeding
• if you have very poor health

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Alosetron . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Cimetidine, clarithromycin, fluvoxamine, HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), imidazole antifungals (eg, itraconazole, ketoconazole), quinolone antibiotics (eg, ciprofloxacin), telithromycin, or voriconazole because they may increase the risk of Alosetron 's side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Alosetron may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Alosetron :

Use Alosetron as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Alosetron comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Alosetron refilled.
• Take Alosetron by mouth with or without food.
• Your doctor will fully counsel you on the risks and benefits of taking Alosetron before your prescription is written. You must sign a consent form stating you will follow your doctor's instructions before you can take Alosetron .
• Your pharmacist cannot fill your prescription unless it has a program sticker attached to it.
• Alosetron works best if it is taken at the same time each day.
• If you miss a dose of Alosetron , skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Alosetron .

Important safety information:

• It may take up to 4 weeks for Alosetron to work. Contact your doctor if you have not experienced any improvement in your condition after 4 weeks.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Alosetron before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Use Alosetron with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially constipation, if it occurs.
• Alosetron should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Alosetron while you are pregnant. It is not known if Alosetron is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Alosetron , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Alosetron :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include loss of coordination; seizures; tremors; trouble breathing.

Store Alosetron at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Alosetron out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Alosetron , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Alosetron is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Alosetron . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.