Olsalazine
Brand names
Usage
The first line of medicament therapy
for ulcerative colitis is usually
sulfasalazine, but some patients cannot take it because
of intolerable side effects. Olsalazine is a chemically
similar medicament that can be given
instead to such patients.
It is generally prescribed
as maintenance therapy for
those who have ulcerative
colitis in a state of remission
(absence of recent symptom
flare-ups). It is also used in the
treatment of acute flare-ups
of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.
How it works
The exact mechanism of
action is uncertain, although
it appears that olsalazine
inhibits production of
substances such as arachidonic acid that produce
inflammation in the digestive tract.
Side effects
- Serious
- Severe pain in the back or
stomach, bloody
diarrhea,
rapid heartbeat, fever, nausea or vomiting,
rash,
abdominal swelling or stiffness, yellowish tinge to the eyes or
skin (jaundice). Get medical help immediately if such
symptoms occur.
- Common
- Abdominal pain or upset, an increase in the number of
loose stools, diarrhea, loss of appetite.
- Less common
- Joint and
muscle pain;
acne; depression or
anxiety;
dizziness; drowsiness;
headache;
insomnia; skin sensitivity to
sunlight; bruising;
bleeding in the intestinal tract, causing
bloody stools.
Possible interactions
- Other medicaments:
Olsalazine taken concurrently with:
- alendronate (Fosamax) may increase risk of GI upset.
- enoxaparin (Lovenox), Normiflo or Fragmin (Low molecular weight
heparins) may increase bleeding risk.
- mercaptopurine (Purinethol) may lead to bone marrow depression.
- varicella vaccine (Varivax) may result in an increased risk of Reye's
syndrome; this medicament should be avoided for 6 weeks after the vaccine is given.
- warfarin (Coumadin) may increase INR; more frequent tests may be
warranted if these medicines are combined.
- Herbal medicines or minerals:
- Flaxseed,
peppermint oil and
psyllium husk have
commission E monograph indications for
irritable bowel syndrome. This
is not the same as ulcerative colitis, and those products have not been
studied in ulcerative colitis. Aloe,
buckhorn berry or bark,
cascara sagrada bark,
rhubarb root and
senna should not be taken by people living with ulcerative colitis.
- Exposure to sun:
- This medicament can cause photosensitization.
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