Why was Tegaserod taken off the market?

Tegaserod was taken off the market in 2007 due to concerns about its safety profile, specifically an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes in certain patient populations. These risks were particularly pronounced in women under 55 who had pre-existing cardiovascular conditions. Although it was reintroduced in 2019 under restricted conditions for specific patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the broader safety concerns led to its initial withdrawal.