General information

Pentasa is an aminosalicylate anti-inflammatory drug. It works by blocking the production of certain natural chemicals that may cause pain and swelling. Pentasa is used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis. Mesalamine is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring. This drug may also be used to treat Crohn's disease.

Directions

Take Pentasa exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually four times daily. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not chew or crush the capsules. Doing so can interfere with release of the drug into the colon. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

Precautions

Before taking Pentasa you should talk with your doctor if you have liver disease, liver failure, cirrhosis, kidney disease, kidney failure, congestive heart failure, pyloric stenosis, slow emptying of stomach, Crohn's disease, any allergies. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug. This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol may increase your risk for stomach bleeding.

Contraindications

You should not take Pentasa if you are allergic to 5-aminosalicylic acid or to any of the ingredients of the medication, salicylates, or if you have gastric (stomach) or duodenal (intestinal) ulcer, urinary tract obstruction. It should not be used by a child younger than 2 years of age. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, gas, fever, sore throat, flu symptoms, constipation, dizziness, skin rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, hives, bloody diarrhea, stomach pain, chest pain, yellowing of the eyes or skin, fast heartbeat, dark urine. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: digoxin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, ketoprofen), blood thinners (warfarin), aspirin, cancer medicines (ifosfamide, carmustine, streptozocin, tretinoin), antiviral medicines (foscarnet, adefovir, acyclovir, cidofovir), antibiotics (rifampin, vancomycin, capreomycin), amphotericin B, pentamidine, tacrolimus, azathioprine. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are ringing in the ears, hearing loss, extreme tiredness, seizures, fast or difficult breathing, bloody vomit.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.