Novartis Yanks Zelnorm

The Food and Drug Administration said Friday that Zelnorm, the Novartis(NVS Quote) treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, is being taken off the market because it can increase the risk of heart attacks, stroke and chest pain associated with heart disease.

Novartis agreed to pull the drug when the FDA made its request on March 29, one day after the agency met with the company to discuss Zelnorm's safety issues, said Dr. John Jenkins, director of the FDA's office of new drugs.

Despite agreeing to the FDA's request, Dr. Daniel Vasella, the chairman and CEO of Novartis, said there was no reason to withdraw the drug because there was "no causal relationship" between Zelnorm and heart problems. ...