Pentasa
Pentasa contains mesalazine, which helps reduce inflammation in the intestines, especially in the inflamed tissue, and is used to treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Form
depottabletti
Strength
500 mg
Active Ingredient
Mesalazine
Manufacturer
Ferring Lääkkeet Oy
How to Use
Dosage
For adults with active disease, the typical starting dose is 2–4 g daily, taken as a single dose or divided. For maintenance, the recommended dose is 2 g daily (for ulcerative colitis) or 2–3 g daily (for Crohn's disease).
Method
Swallow the tablets whole or halved with water or juice. Do not chew or crush them.
Important
The maximum daily dose for adults is 4 g.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache
- •Diarrhea
- •Stomach pain
- •Nausea
- •Vomiting
- •Gas
- •Rash
RARE
- •Dizziness
- •Inflammation of the heart muscle and sac
- •Increased amylase levels
- •Inflammation of the pancreas
- •Increased skin sensitivity to sunlight and UV light (photosensitivity)
- •Changes in blood count (e.g., anemia)
- •Hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., allergic rash)
- •Drug-induced fever
- •Tingling and numbness in hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy)
- •Allergic lung inflammation (e.g., shortness of breath and cough)
- •Inflammation of the entire large intestine
- •Liver and kidney function disorders
- •Temporary hair loss
- •Muscle and joint pain
- •Reddish rash
- •Urine discoloration
- •Temporary reduced sperm count
- •Kidney stones and related kidney pain
Important Warnings
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to mesalazine or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to salicylates.
- Do not use this medicine if you have severe liver or kidney disease.
- Talk to your doctor if you have or have had reduced liver or kidney function.
- Talk to your doctor if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to sulfasalazine.
Show 7 more warnings
- Talk to your doctor if you are taking other medicines that may affect kidney function.
- Talk to your doctor if you have lung disease, especially asthma.
- Talk to your doctor if you are being treated with medicines containing azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, or thioguanine.
- Stop using Pentasa and seek medical help immediately if you get severe skin reactions like red patches, peeling skin, blisters, mouth sores, or fever.
- Kidney stones may form. Drink enough fluids during treatment. Contact your doctor if you experience pain in the sides of your stomach or blood in your urine.
- Stop using Pentasa and contact your doctor if you suddenly get cramps, stomach pain, fever, severe headache, or a rash.
- Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe or recurring headache, vision problems, or ringing or buzzing in your ears.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category C
Suitable for older adults, with specific precautions. Consider renal impairment. Do not use in severe renal impairment. Remember blood tests to monitor safety. (updated 20.5.2024)