Health Centres - Pentasa (mesalazine)
How does it work?
Pentasa tablets, granules, suppositories and enema all contain the active ingredient mesalazine, which is a type of medicine called an aminosalicylate. It is used to reduce inflammation in the intestines in a condition called ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative colitis is a condition in which there is inflammation of the large intestine. This results in ulceration and bleeding in the intestine and causes symptoms that include abdominal pain and diarrhoea that is mixed with blood, pus and mucus.
Mesalazine works by reducing the inflammation in the intestine, which in turn reduces the symptoms of the disease. The way in which mesalazine does this is not fully understood.
Pentasa enema is administered into the back passage (rectum) to deliver the mesalazine directly to the site of inflammation in the lower end of the large intestine and rectum. It is used for the short-term treatment of attacks of ulcerative colitis, particularly when the inflammation is largely in this area of the bowel.
Pentasa suppositories are administered into the back passage (rectum) to treat disease affecting the rectum (ulcerative proctitis).
Pentasa tablets and granules are taken by mouth. Both these dose forms have a special coating that allows the medicine to pass through the stomach and be released in the intestine. They are used for the short-term treatment of symptoms and can also be taken on a continuous basis to control the inflammation in the intestine and help prevent attacks.
What is it used for?
Pentasa tablets, granules and enema can be used to treat mild to moderate symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Pentasa tablets and granules can also be used continuously to help prevent attacks.
Pentasa suppositories are used to treat symptoms affecting the rectum (ulcerative proctitis).
Warning!
- Pentasa granules should be taken on the tongue and swallowed, without chewing. They should be washed down with some water or orange juice.
- Pentasa suppositories and enema are for administration into the back passage and must not be taken by mouth.
- This medicine may rarely cause a decrease in the normal amounts of blood cells in the blood. For this reason you should consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: unexplained bruising or bleeding, purple spots, sore throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever), feeling tired or general illness. Your doctor may want to take a blood test to check your blood cells.
- If you are taking mesalazine by mouth, your kidney function should be checked before you start treatment. Your kidney function should then be monitored every three months for the first year of treatment, every six months for the next four years and once a year thereafter.
Use with caution in
- Decreased kidney function.
- Decreased liver function.
-
Asthma.
- Active peptic ulcer.
Not to be used in
- Allergy to salicylates (eg aspirin).
- Blood clotting abnormalities.
- Severely decreased kidney function.
- Severely decreased liver function.
- Pentasa tablets and suppositories are not recommended for children under 15 years of age. Pentasa granules and enema are not recommended for children under 12 years of age.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine passes into breast milk in small amounts. The effect of this on the breastfed baby is unknown, therefore this medicine should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Abdominal pain.
- Diarrhoea and vomiting.
- Nausea.
- Excess gas in the stomach and intestines (flatulence).
- Rectal itching or discomfort with the enema or suppositories.
- Headache.
- Dizziness.
- Allergic skin rashes.
- Worsening of colitis symptoms.
- Pain in the muscles or joints.
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
- Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis).
- Kidney problems.
- Decreases in the normal numbers of blood cells in the blood.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
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