China's State Food and Drug Administration on Friday banned the domestic production and marketing of Zelnorm, a drug used for the short-term treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. The decision comes less than three months after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, sponsor of Zelnorm, to stop selling the drug in the United States.

According to Chinese officials, nearly 100 reports of adverse effects caused by Zelnorm have been received in the past four years. Most of the patients reported diarrhea and nausea. Isolated cases of abnormally fast heartbeat low blood pressure also emerged.

AP reports two drug companies that were manufacturing the drug were ordered to stop producing it, while a third company was told to halt its plans to start making it.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common ailments of the intestines. It's characterized by abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits that are not associated with any abnormalities seen during routine clinical testing.