OLSALAZINE

Brand & Generic Names

Dipentum

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Inflammatory bowel disease suppressant

Uses

To maintain remission of ulcerative colitis. Generally prescribed when intolerance to sulfasalazine exists.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Capsule: Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, open capsule and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
Usually twice a day, or as directed on prescription label.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as possible.
Skip if it is almost time for next dose.
Don't double next dose.
Notify your doctor if there are questions.

What drug does:
Inhibits prostaglandin production in the colon.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 hour.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
None expected.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Fever, sore throat, Seek emergency treatment. paleness, unusual bleeding (representing effect on blood, a rare complication).

Common:

Diarrhea, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting.

Infrequent:

Mood changes, sleeplessness, headache.

Rare:

Skin eruption (acne-like), muscle aches.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to aspirin or any other salicylate.
• You are allergic to mesalamine.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have kidney disease.
• If you are taking any other prescription or non-prescription medicine.

Over age 60:
No special problems expected.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs possible benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Unknown effects. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Effect not documented. Consult your family doctor or pediatrician.

Prolonged use:
Follow through with full prescribed course of treatment.

Skin & sunlight:
No special problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:
Request your doctor to check blood counts and kidney function on a regular basis.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
None expected since OLSALAZIN	E is not appreciably absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased risk of gastrointestinal
	upset and/or bleeding.
Highly spiced	Will irritate underlying condition
beverages.	that olsalazine treats.
Cocaine:	Avoid.
Highly spiced foods.	Will irritate underlying condition
	that olsalazine treats.
Marijuana:	Avoid.
Tobacco:	Will irritate underlying condition
	that olsalazine treats.
	Avoid.