Details

Balsalazide affects a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhoea. The Colazal brand of balsalazide is used to treat mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis in adults and children who are at least 5 years old. The Giazo brand of balsalazide is used to treat mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis in men who are at least 18 years old. To make sure balsalazide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease liver disease a stomach condition called pyloric stenosis. Balsalazide tablets contain sodium. Talk to your doctor before using this form of balsalazide if you are on a low salt diet.

Typical Uses

Balsalazide is used by men to treat a certain bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). It helps to reduce symptoms of ulcerative colitis such as diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, and stomach pain. Balsalazide belongs to a class of drugs known as aminosalicylates. It works by decreasing swelling in the colon.

Side Effects

Balsalazide may cause certain side effects such as worsening colitis symptoms-fever, stomach pain, cramps, or bloody diarrhoea kidney problems-little or no urinating, swelling, rapid weight gain liver problems-upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-coloured stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) pain or burning when you urinate or anaemia (low red blood cells)-pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating.

Drug Interactions

• Balsalazide+adefovir- Talk to your doctor before using adefovir together with balsalazide. Adefovir may cause kidney problems, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the kidney such as balsalazide may increase that risk.

• Balsalazide+botulism immune globulin- Botulism immune globulin may cause kidney problems, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the kidney such as balsalazide may increase that risk. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

• Balsalazide+deferasirox- Talk to your doctor before using deferasirox together with balsalazide. Deferasirox may cause kidney problems, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the kidney such as balsalazide may increase that risk.

• Balsalazide+tenofovir- Talk to your doctor before using tenofovir together with balsalazide. Tenofovir may cause kidney problems, and combining it with other medications that can also affect the kidney such as balsalazide may increase that risk.

Mechanism of action

Balsalazide belongs to a class of drugs known as aminosalicylates. It exerts anti-inflammatory action by getting converted in the body to mesalamine thereby reducing bowel inflammation, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, and stomach pain.

Pregnancy Category : B