Pentasa (Mesalazine) reduces inflammation in ulcerative colitis. It may be used during a flare up or after a flare up to help prevent further attacks from happening.

Why have I been prescribed Pentasa?

  • Pentasa (Mesalazine) reduces inflammation in ulcerative colitis.
  • It may be used during a flare up or after a flare up to help prevent further attacks from happening.

How does it work?

Pentasa acts locally at the inflamed sites to reduce the inflammation.

When and how do I take it?

  • Pentasa should be taken with food at the same time each day.
  • The tablets should be swallowed whole and must not be crushed or chewed.

What’s the dose?

Ulcerative Colitis

Adults:

  • Acute Treatment: Individual dosage of up to 4 g mesalazine daily in two or three divided doses.
  • Maintenance treatment: Recommended dosage, 2 g mesalazine once daily.

Children:

  • Individual dosage, recommended starting dose is 20-30 mg/kg bodyweight daily in two or three divided doses.

Crohn's Disease

Adults:

  • Acute Treatment: Individual dosage of up to 4 g mesalazine daily in two or three divided doses.
  • Maintenance treatment: Individual dosage, recommended starting dose is 1500 mg mesalazine daily in two or three divided doses.

Children:

  • Individual dosage, recommended starting dose is 20-30 mg/kg bodyweight daily in two or three divided doses.

Could it interact with other tablets?

Tell your prescriber the names of all the medicines that you are taking so that they can consider all possible interactions. This includes all the medicines which have been prescribed by your GP, hospital doctor, dentist, nurse, health visitor, midwife or pharmacist. You must also tell your prescriber about medicines which you have bought over the counter without prescriptions.

The following medicines may interact with Mesalazine:

  • 6-mercaptopurine
  • azathioprine
  • furosemide
  • lactulose
  • methotrexate
  • probenecid
  • rifampicin
  • spironolactone
  • sulfinpyrazone
  • The following types of medicine may interact with Mesalazine:
  • coumarin anticoagulants
  • glucocorticosteroids
  • sulphonylureas

If you are taking Mesalazine and one of the above medicines or types of medicines, make sure your prescriber knows about it.

Herbal products should also only be taken after talking with your doctor.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

Everyone's reaction to a medicine is different. It is difficult to predict which side-effects you will have from taking a particular medicine, or whether you will have any side-effects at all. The important thing is to tell your prescriber or pharmacist if you are having problems with your medicine.

Rare: More than 1 in 10,000 people who take Mesalazine

  • diarrhoea
  • feeling dizzy
  • flatulence
  • headaches - if you get a headache seek medical advice
  • nausea
  • stomach pain - if you get stomach pain seek medical advice
  • vomiting

Very rare: Fewer than 1 in 10,000 people who take Mesalazine

  • abnormal laboratory test results
  • blood and bone marrow problems
  • bronchospasm
  • fever - if you develop a fever seek medical advice
  • hair loss
  • heart problems
  • hypersensitivity or allergic skin reactions - if you get a rash seek medical advice
  • joint pain
  • kidney problems
  • liver problems
  • lung problems
  • lupus or lupus-like problem
  • muscle pain or tenderness
  • neuropathy of the extremities
  • pancreatitis
  • reduced sperm count
  • worsening of colitis

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

  • There are no known interactions between alcohol and Pentasa.
  • Always ask you doctor or pharmacist however as other medications you are taking may have a bearing on this.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

You should only take this medicine during pregnancy or while breast feeding if your doctor thinks that you need it.

 

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note
: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

https://www.pentasaus.com/

http://www.drugs.com/pentasa.html

http://www.rxlist.com/pentasa-drug.htm

http://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/2140063.PA1009_006_005.40bf4cef-2ac4-4052-875a-9cb6075d990a.000001Product%20Leaflet%20Approved%20500g%20Prolonged%20Release%20Tablets.140605.pdf

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/668/SPC/Pentasa+Slow+Release+Tablets+500mg/

 

Health Reference: Ulcerative Colitis