Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Tegaserod in Patients With Chronic Constipation

Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Tegaserod in Patients With Chronic Constipation

Tegaserod (HTF919) is an aminoguanidine indole compound and a member of a new class of subgroup-selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) agonists. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of tegaserod on bowel habits in patients with CC.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and females of at least 18 years of age
• A 12-month history of constipation (defined as < three spontaneous bowel movements per week and ≥1 of the following symptoms >25% of the time: hard stools, sensation of incomplete evacuation and straining)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or other structural bowel disease
• Patients who participated in a prior tegaserod study
• Evidence of cathartic colon or laxative abuse, pelvic floor dysfunction or neurological disorders

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply.