Pentasa

Pentasa

     * Generic Name: mesalamine
     * Brand Name: Pentasa


     * What is mesalamine oral?
     * What are the possible side effects of mesalamine oral?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       mesalamine oral?
     * What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
       mesalamine oral?
     * How should I take mesalamine oral?
     * What happens if I miss a dose?
     * What happens if I overdose?
     * What should I avoid while taking mesalamine oral?
     * What other drugs will affect mesalamine oral?
     * Where can I get more information?

What is mesalamine oral?

   Mesalamine affects a substance in the body that causes
   inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea.

   Mesalamine is used to treat mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.
   Mesalamine is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative
   colitis from recurring.

   Some brands of mesalamine are for use only in adults, and some brands
   are for use in children who are at least 5 years old.

   Mesalamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of mesalamine oral?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Stop using mesalamine and call your doctor at once if you have:
     * severe stomach pain, cramping, bloody diarrhea;
     * fever, headache, skin rash;
     * bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that
       looks like coffee grounds;
     * kidney problems--little or no urination, painful or difficult
       urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short
       of breath; or
     * liver problems--loss of appetite, upper stomach pain,
       tiredness, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, clay-colored
       stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

   Common side effects may include:
     * nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;
     * runny or stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat;
     * flu-like symptoms;
     * headache, back pain;
     * rash; or
     * abnormal liver function tests.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about mesalamine oral?

   Call your doctor at once if you have severe stomach pain, cramping,
   bloody diarrhea (may occur with fever, headache, and skin rash).

   Pentasa Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Ulcerative Colitis: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

   Ulcerative Colitis Slideshow Pictures
   Inflammatory Bowel Disease:A Visual Guide to IBD

   Inflammatory Bowel Disease Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Ulcerative Colitis Quiz

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mesalamine
oral?

   You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to mesalamine,
   aspirin, sulfasalazine, or salicylates (such as Nuprin Backache
   Caplet, Kaopectate, KneeRelief, Pamprin Cramp Formula, Pepto-Bismol,
   Tricosal, Trilisate, and others).

   To make sure mesalamine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
     * a stomach condition called pyloric stenosis;
     * heart disease;
     * kidney disease;
     * liver disease; or
     * a history of blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or
       intestines).

   Some forms of mesalamine may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your
   doctor before using this form of mesalamine if you have
   phenylketonuria (PKU).

   It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell
   your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

   Mesalamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell
   your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

   Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I take mesalamine oral?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
   medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Take mesalamine with a full glass of water.

   Take Asacol HD on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours
   after a meal.

   Lialda should be taken with a meal.

   Other brands of mesalamine can be taken with or without food. Follow
   your doctor's instructions or the directions on your medicine label.

   Do not crush, break, or chew a mesalamine tablet or capsule. Swallow
   the pill whole.

   The extended-release capsule is specially formulated to release the
   medicine after it has passed through your stomach into your intestines.
   Breaking the pill may cause the drug to be released too early in the
   digestive tract.

   The enteric-coated tablet has a special coating to protect your
   stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this coating.

   Tell your doctor if you find undissolved tablets in your stool.

   Call your doctor if your ulcerative colitis symptoms do not improve, or
   if they get worse.

   This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests.
   Tell any doctor who treats you that you are taking mesalamine.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

   Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets
   provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any
   questions.

   Pentasa Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Ulcerative Colitis: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

   Ulcerative Colitis Slideshow Pictures
   Inflammatory Bowel Disease:A Visual Guide to IBD

   Inflammatory Bowel Disease Slideshow Pictures
   RxList

   Take the Ulcerative Colitis Quiz

What happens if I miss a dose?

   Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
   it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking mesalamine oral?

   Ask your doctor before using an antacid, and use only the type your
   doctor recommends. Some antacids can make it harder for your body
   to absorb mesalamine.

What other drugs will affect mesalamine oral?

   Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or
   stop using, especially:
     * azathioprine;
     * mercaptopurine; or
     * NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen
       (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib,
       diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

   This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with mesalamine,
   including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and
   herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this
   medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about mesalamine.
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