Polyethyleneglycol3350 vs Tegaserod in Treatment of Patients With Chronic Constipation

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female outpatients at least 18 years of age
• Constipated according to ROME I criteria
• If female and of childbearing potential, patient must be surgically sterilized or using oral contraceptives, depot contraceptives, double- barrier method, intrauterine device, or testifies that she is monogamous with a vasectomized partner, or practices abstinence and will continue to do so during the duration of study
• Are otherwise in good health, as judged by a physical examination
• In the investigator's judgment, patient is mentally competent to sign an instrument of informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with heme positive stool at screening that is not associated with hemorrhoids or anal fissures.
• Patients with hypo- or hyperthyroidism as determined by medical history.
• Patients with severe renal impairment.
• Patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment.
• Patients with known or suspected perforation or obstruction.
• History of gastric retention, inflammatory bowel disease, bowel resection, or colostomy.
• Patients with symptomatic gallbladder disease, suspected sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, or abdominal adhesions.
• Patients with a known history of organic cause for their constipation.
• Patients currently taking, or planning to take any of the following medications that are known to effect bowel habits:

• Antidiarrheals
• Antacids containing magnesium or aluminum salts
• Anticholinergics
• Antispasmodic agents
• Erythromycin and other macrolides
• Octreotide
• Lotronex, Zofran, or other 5-HT3 antagonists
• Zelnorm, or other 5-HT4 agonists
• Opiods/narcotic analgesics
• Prokinetics
• Serotonin re-uptake inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants
• Calcium antagonists
• Patients who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or intend to become pregnant during the study.
• Female patients of childbearing potential who refuse a pregnancy test.
• Patients with a known allergy to tegaserod (or any of its excipients) or polyethyleneglycol.
• Patients who, in the opinion of the investigator, should not be included in the study for any reason, including inability to follow study procedures.
• Patients who, within the past 30 days have participated in an investigational clinical study.
• Patients that have undergone a colonoscopy within 30 days of screening
• Patients that are currently taking, or have previously been treated with polyethyleneglycol3350 or tegaserod.