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| Pronunciation |
|
 (me
SAL a
meen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Asacol®; Canasa®;
Pentasa®; Rowasa® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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5-Aminosalicylic Acid Derivative |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to sulfasalazine, sulfites, aspirin or another
salicylate, mesalamine, or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
- The capsule or tablet is used for mild to moderately active ulcerative
colitis.
- The rectal forms (suppository, suspension) are used mild to moderate
disease at the far end of the colon where they can
reach.
|
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| How does it work? |
|
|
- Mesalamine works to decrease the irritation and inflammation caused by
the ulcerative colitis.
|
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|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Swallow tablet or capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush. Take
with a whole glass of water.
- Use suppository or suspension rectally only.
- Shake suspension well first. Use at bedtime.
- Keep suspension in rectum as long as possible.
- Take foil off rectal suppository and insert pointed end first. Do not
handle too much. It will melt in your hand.
- You could be on both a tablet or capsule and a rectal form at the same
time. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Take entire prescription as directed, even if feeling
better.
|
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- The rectal suspension can stain clothing, other fabrics, flooring,
painted surfaces, marble, granite, vinyl, and enamel. Be careful where you give
yourself this medicine.
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are on warfarin.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Belly pain and cramps.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Belching or burping.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea or constipation.
- Rarely, liver problems.
|
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|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check kidney function before starting. The dose is adjusted to your
kidney function.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
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|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- If you see tablet bits in the stool.
- Cramping, belly pain, or bloody diarrhea.
- Fever.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight container at room temperature.
- Keep rectal suspension in foil until ready to use. If rectal
suspension is dark brown, throw
away.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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