The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has requested Swiss pharmaceutical maker Novartis AG to stop marketing of Zelnorm, a drug to relieve constipation, after it was linked to increased risk of serious cardiovascular events including a higher chance of heart attack, stroke and worsening chest pain.
Novartis has agreed to voluntarily suspend marketing of the drug in the United States, on the FDA's request. After being approved for treatment of chronic constipation for men and women under age 65, Zelnorm is currently still being marketed in 55 countries
