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| Brand Names |
|
| Colazal™ |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
5-Aminosalicylic Acid Derivative; Anti-inflammatory Agent |
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to aspirin, aspirin-like products, balsalazide,
or any other part of the medicine.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to treat active ulcerative colitis. It is for
mild to moderately severe forms. Improvements in bleeding and diarrhea may take
up to 8 weeks to see the full
effects.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Balsalazide decreases irritation in the large part of the intestine
(the colon). This may be where the ulcerative colitis is
active.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Follow instructions from healthcare provider.
- Swallow capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or
crush.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Use caution if you have kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine
especially aspirin or aspirin-like products. Make sure to tell about the allergy
and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching;
shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or
any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Headache.
- Belly pain and cramps.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
- Muscle aches and pains.
- Lung infections.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Changes in symptoms. Are they better, worse, or about the same?
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow eyes
or skin, not hungry.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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