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Balsalazide

Balsalazide

What condition does Balsalazide treat?

Balsalazide is used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. This medicine helps to lessen the symptoms such as rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and stomach pain. The majority of this medication is released in the colon, where it can reduce inflammation. This is approved for use in patients over the age of 5 years.

This belongs to the class of medications known as aminosalicylates.  This has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

How does Balsalazide work?

Balsalazide is an anti-inflammatory medication that is released in the large intestine. It is where the medication works topically to lessen the inflammation which was caused by ulcerative colitis. This is a derivative of 5-aminosalicylic-acid (5-ASA), which is a family of medications that have been used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis for many years. This is a next-generation of the 5-ASA drugs. This is also designed to be released straight in the colon, where it needs to do the work to lessen inflammation caused by ulcerative colitis.

What is the recommended dosage for Balsalazide?

The usual dose of Balsalazide in patients aged 5 to 17 years is either:

  • One 750 mg capsules 3 times a day (2.25 g per day) for at least 8 weeks
  • Three of 750 mg capsules 3 times a day (6.75 g per day) for 8 weeks

Take this medication by mouth with or without food. If you have the difficulty in swallowing the capsules, you may open them and sprinkle the substances onto a spoonful of applesauce or water. Swallow the mixture right away. Use this regularly or as directed by your doctor. Drink lots of fluids during treatment with this medication unless your doctor told you otherwise. This will help avoid kidney stones.

What are the side effects of Balsalazide?

  • Bloody urine
  • Dizziness
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Insomnia
  • Joint pain
  • Fever
  • Stomach or abdominal pain
  • Sore throat, runny nose, or cold symptoms
  • Unusual or extreme tiredness

What are the precautions in taking Balsalazide?

  • If you are a pregnant or breastfeeding woman, consult your doctor first before using this.
  • To make sure that this is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease.
  • This should not be given to a child younger than 5 years old.
  • If you are on a low salt diet, talk to your doctor first. This drug may contain sodium.
  • Inform your doctor if you ever had an allergic reaction to this medication or any other drugs. Also, inform your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as dyes, foods, animals, or preservatives. For non-prescription products, read carefully the label or package ingredients.
  •  Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease or pyloric stenosis. It is a condition in which the stomach empties slowly.
  • Certain drugs must not be used during the time of eating certain types of food since interactions might occur. Using tobacco or alcohol with certain drugs may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medication with food, tobacco, or alcohol.