Cardio- and cerebrovascular safety of indacaterol vs formoterol, salmeterol, tiotropium and placebo in COPD.

Purpose: As COPD patients commonly suffer cardio- and cerebrovascular (CCV) co-morbidities, our purpose was to establish the CCV safety profile of indacaterol, a novel, inhaled, long-acting β(2)-agonist for COPD.

Methods: The indacaterol clinical trial database comprised 4635 patients with moderate-to-severe COPD enrolled into studies of ≥6 months' duration treated with indacaterol, placebo or other bronchodilators (formoterol, salmeterol, tiotropium). Adverse events (AEs) were analysed overall and according to Anti-Platelet Trialists' Collaboration (APTC) criteria and baseline cardiovascular risk factors.

Efficacy of tegaserod in chronic constipation in men.

Objectives: Chronic constipation/idiopathic constipation is highly prevalent in western countries and traditional treatments are suboptimal. This multicenter study evaluated the efficacy and safety of tegaserod, a selective 5-HT(4) agonist and promotility agent, in men with chronic constipation.

Methods: After screening and baseline phases, men with chronic constipation were randomized to receive either tegaserod 6 mg twice daily or placebo in a double-blind manner for 12 wk.

A randomised controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of repeated tegaserod therapy in women with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

Background: It has been proposed that treatments for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) should provide rapid symptomatic relief, be intermittent, and effective upon repeated use.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of tegaserod on IBS symptoms, and its impact on quality of life and health economic measures.

Patients: Women (> or = 18 years of age) with IBS-C according to the Rome II criteria.

Tegaserod is effective in the initial and retreatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

Background: Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome are often cyclical and thus may require repeated rather than continuous therapy. Tegaserod is effective and well-tolerated for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation but data on retreatment are lacking.

Aim: To assess whether tegaserod retreatment is as efficacious and well-tolerated as initial treatment in a primary care setting.

Tegaserod does not alter fasting or meal-induced biliary tract motility.

Objective: Tegaserod is a 5-HT(4) receptor partial agonist that increases peristaltic activity of the intestinal tract. It is approved for the treatment of patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C). IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder of function that is reported to be associated with an increased incidence of abdominal surgery including cholecystectomy.