How does it work?

Mesalazine belongs to a group of medicines called the aminosalicylates. It is used for reducing inflammation in 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 including adominal 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. The tablets are designed to pass through the stomach and small intestine without being absorbed, so that the active ingredient is delivered directly to the site of inflammation in the large intestine. Mesalazine is used for the short term treatment of attacks of ulcerative colitis. It can also be used regularly to maintain continued reduction of inflammation, when the disease is in remission. This therefore prevents attacks.

What is it used for?

Maintenance treatment of ulcerative colitis to prevent flare-ups

Treatment of mild to moderate attacks of ulcerative colitis

Warning!

This medicine may rarely cause a decrease in the normal amounts of blood cells in the blood. For this reason, if you experience any unexplained bruising, purple spots, bleeding, sore throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever), feeling tired or general illness, you should consult your doctor immediately so that blood tests can be carried out to check for this.

Do not take indigestion remedies at the same time of day as this medicine. (The indigestion remedy would prevent the product from working at its best).

Not to be used in

Active peptic ulcer

Bleeding tendencies

Blood clotting disorders

Children

Severe kidney disease

Severe liver disease

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. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

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 the 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. Discuss with your doctor.

Label warnings

Do not take indigestion remedies at the same time of day as this medication.

This medication is to be swallowed whole, not chewed.

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. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Kidney damage

Increased symptoms of colitis such as diarrhoea and abdominal pain

Rash

Blood disorders

Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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