MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
December 1, 2008
  MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Health news and views MedTerms medical dictionary  
Font Size
A
A
A


Medication Written by Pharmacists Reviewed by Doctors

GENERIC NAME: balsalazide disodium

BRAND NAME: Colazal

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Balsalazide disodium is an oral anti-inflammatory drug that is used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. It is a form of mesalamine (5-aminosalicyclic acid) that is activated when it reaches the colon by the colonic bacteria. Other mesalamine-containing drugs include Pentasa, Rowasa, and Asacol. Balsalazide disodium was approved by the FDA in July of 2000.

PRESCRIPTION: yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: no

PREPARATIONS: Capsule: 750 mg

STORAGE: Balsalazide disodium should be stored between 15 and 30°C (59 to 86°F)

PRESCRIBED FOR: Balsalazide is used to treat the signs and symptoms of mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis.

DOSING: The usual dose is 2250 mg (three 750mg capsules) taken three times daily for 8 to 12 weeks.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: There are no known drug interactions with balsalazide disodium.

PREGNANCY: Animal studies have not demonstrated any adverse effects on the fetus, however, there have been no studies in pregnant women. The physician, therefore, may prescribe balsalazide to pregnant women if he/she feels the potential benefit outweighs the theoretical risks.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if balsalazide disodium is secreted into breast milk. Since many drugs are secreted, balsalazide disodium should not be taken by nursing women.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly occurring side effects are headache (1 in 12 patients), abdominal pain (1 in 17 patients), nausea (1 in 20 patients), and diarrhea (1 in 20 patients).

Pharmacy Author: Emmanuel Saltiel, Pharm. D.
Medical Editor: Jay M. Marks, M.D.


Last Editorial Review: 11/4/2001 7:53:00 PM




Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


space Related health and medical articles From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com MedicineNet Doctors recommend space
space
MedicineNet Doctors Recommend
  • Crohn's Disease - Learn about Crohn's Disease and the causes, symptoms (including abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, fever, rectal bleeding, and more) and treatment of this chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. Source:MedicineNet
  • Ulcerative Colitis - Read about ulcerative colitis causes, and symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, rectal pain, urgency to defecate, or painful bowel movements; diagnosis and treatment options are also discussed. Source:MedicineNet
  • Read 25 more balsalazide disodium related articles ...
Latest Medical News
space

Back to Medications Index

GI Disorders

Get the latest treatment options.




Topics Related to balsalazide disodium, Colazal


balsalazide disodium
RSS FeedSpecialty RSS       Add to My Yahoo! What is this?

Good BacteriaGood Bacteria
It may surprise you to know that eating bacteria can actually be good for you. See more WebMD Videos »






Top 3
balsalazide disodium Related Articles






Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Search Help | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

HON Code We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information:
verify here.

©1996-2008 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.