Balsalazide

Balsalazide is used to treat ulcerative colitis (a condition which causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum) in adults and children 5 years of age and older. Balsalazide is an anti-inflammatory drug. It is converted in the body to mesalamine and works by reducing bowel inflammation, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and stomach pain.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Balsalazide comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken three times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take balsalazide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Balsalazide is usually taken for 8 weeks, but it may be taken for up to 12 weeks. Continue to take balsalazide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking balsalazide without talking to your doctor.

Swallow the capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. If you cannot swallow the capsules or if you are giving this medication to a child, you may open the capsules and sprinkle the contents over 2 teaspoonfuls (approximately 10 mL) of applesauce. Eat the mixture right away and swallow; if necessary you can chew the mixture. If you are taking balsalazide capsules mixed with applesauce, you should know that your teeth and tongue may be stained.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking balsalazide,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to balsalazide, salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate, choline salicylate, diflunisal, magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others), mesalamine (Apriso, Pentasa, Rowasa), salsalate, sulfasalazine (Azulfidine); any other medications; or any of the ingredients in balsalazide capsules. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), mercaptopurine (Purixan), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a skin condition such as eczema (atopic dermatitis; a skin disease that causes the skin to be dry and itchy and to sometimes develop red, scaly rashes), kidney stones, liver or kidney disease, or pyloric stenosis (a condition in which the stomach empties slowly).

• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking balsalazide, call your doctor.

• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to the sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Balsalazide may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

• you should know that balsalazide may cause a serious reaction. Many of the symptoms of this reaction are similar to the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, so it may be difficult to tell if you are experiencing a reaction to the medication or a flare (episode of symptoms) of your disease. Call your doctor if you experience some or all of the following symptoms: stomach pain or cramping, bloody diarrhea, fever, headache, or rash.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

• Side effects from balsalazide can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • headache

  • abdominal pain

  • upset stomach

  • diarrhea

  • vomiting

  • joint or muscle pain

  • difficulty falling or staying asleep

  • tiredness

  • gas

  • runny nose

  • coughing

  • loss of appetite

  • constipation

  • dry mouth

• If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

  • rash, hives, itching or peeling or blistering skin

  • swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, mouth, or throat

  • difficulty breathing or swallowing

  • new or worsening cough

  • shortness of breath

  • chest pain

  • extreme tiredness

  • yellowing of the skin or eyes

  • pain in the right upper part of the stomach

  • pale stools

  • difficult or painful urination or cloudy, discolored or bloody urine

  • back pain

  • bloating or swelling of the stomach

  • increased diarrhea

  • rectal bleeding

  • fever, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms

• If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain

• fast or shallow breathing

• ringing in ears

• headache

• dizziness

• confusion

• seizures

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to balsalazide. Before you have any laboratory tests, tell the laboratory personnel that you take balsalazide, as this medication may interfere with some laboratory tests.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.