Pentasa (Mesalazine)

What is Pentasa?

This anti-inflammatory agent is used in diseases of the bowel.

In what kind of disease treatment, Pentasa is helpful?

Mesalazane is an active ingredient of the drug, used to treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Pentasa?

Before using the medication a patient must consult the medical adviser. If your medical record indicates pathologies and health disorders that are incompatible with the use of these pills your medical professional can change a standard dosage or choose a completely different drug. Among these factors should be noted:

• Hypersensitivity
• Diseases of the blood
• Gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer
• Deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
• Bleeding diathesis
• Severe renal hepatic failure
• Lactation
• The last 2-4 weeks of pregnancy
• Children's age (up to 2 years)

Pentasa might be administered with caution in most patients who have allergic reactions to sulfasalazine or risk of allergy to salicylates; thorough surveillance should be conducted in the healing of these patients.

How should I take Pentasa?

You will receive an instruction for use when you purchase the medication (similarly, if you buy generic Pentasa online with no prescription). Swallow the tablet, if possible, without chewing (to facilitate swallowing divide a tablet into a few parts, or dissolve in water or juice just before the consuming), the dose must be adjusted individually.

Pentasa dosage information

For adults, at an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease: typically up to 4 g /day in divided doses; maintenance dose 2/ g day in divided doses (4 g /day for Crohn`s disease); for children over 2 years old usually 20-30 mg/ kg/ day in divided doses. Generally recommended for kids weighing up to 40 kg to take half the dose for adults and for kids weighing more than 40 kg — the usual dose for adults.

What may interact with?

With simultaneous application Pentasa weakens the activity of furosemide, spironolactone, sulfonamides, Rifampicin; increases the efficiency of uricosuric drugs; slows down the absorption of cyanocobalamin; enhances the hypoglycemic effect of sulfonylurea derivatives, methotrexate toxicity and the effects of anticoagulants.

Concurrent use of known nephrotoxic agents, such as NSAIDs and azathioprine, may increase the risk of adverse reactions from the kidneys.

If concomitant use of mesalazane with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine increases the risk of changes in the blood. Be careful to use the drug with impaired renal or liver function of mild to moderate severity. Before the start (and during) the treatment the physician must monitor indicators of liver function; regularly monitor kidney function, namely to measure the level of creatinine in serum (especially in the initial phase of treatment).

What should I watch for while taking Pentasa?

Before and during the treatment at the discretion of the doctor must be checked the status of urine (with the test strips). Renal failure in a patient during treatment may be caused by nephrotoxic effect of mesalazane.

Patients with respiratory dysfunctions, especially with asthma, should be under medical supervision throughout the treatment.

Before and during the treatment the doctor may recommend blood tests.

There is no need to reduce the dosage for elderly people.

Take analyses before the course of healing, 2 weeks after the beginning of it and, subsequently, 2-3 times at intervals of 4 weeks. If the results of studies are normal, periodic studies can be carried out every three months or at symptoms of injury.

It is known that mesalazane penetrates through the placental barrier.

In case of dizziness you should refrain from driving or operating machinery.

Pentasa side effects

All medical and chemical substances that enter the human`s system, affect the processes that occur there. If your doctor has advised you to take Pentasa, then he or she, based on your needs and the state, believes that this impact will be positive. However, sometimes it is impossible to predict how one or another substance would behave. Then negative reactions occur. Carefully read the list of adverse reactions that Pentasa can cause. If you experience these sensations, immediately consult a physician:

• Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dry mouth, stomatitis, liver transaminase elevations, hepatitis, pancreatitis
• Increased heart rate, increased or decreased blood pressure, chest pain, shortness of breath, pericarditis, myocarditis
• Headache, tinnitus, dizziness, neuropathy, tremor, depression
• Proteinuria, hematuria, anuria, crystalluria, nephrotic syndrome
• Skin rash, itching, bronchospasm
• Anemia, leukopenia
• Weakness, mumps, photosensitivity, a syndrome similar to lupus erythematosus, oligospermia, alopecia, reducing the production of tears

Where can I keep Pentasa?

Take care that kids will not be able to find or reach the medicine. When buying the drug, always check the expiration date. The use of medicines after their expiration date can be hazardous. Store at temperatures below 30 °C. You can easily get the drug in your favorite pharmacy or buy generic Pentasa online.