Balsalazide reduces the actions of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation in the colon
(bowel).
Balsalazide is used to treat active ulcerative colitis.
Balsalazide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking balsalazide?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to balsalazide or to salicylates (such as aspirin,
Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to
safely take balsalazide:
a stomach disorder called pyloric stenosis;
kidney disease; or
any infection that you are treating with antibiotics.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be
harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether balsalazide passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take balsalazide?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Balsalazide can be taken with or without food.
Balsalazide is for short-term use only. Do not take this medication for longer than 12 weeks
unless your doctor has told you to.
Tell your doctor if your symptoms get worse after you start taking balsalazide.
Store balsalazide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of balsalazide?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about balsalazide?
Your pharmacist has information about balsalazide written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of balsalazide?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using balsalazide and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
worsening colitis symptoms, such as fever, stomach pain, cramps,
or bloody diarrhea;
bleeding from your rectum; or
pale skin, easy bruising, weakness.
Less serious side effects may include:
headache, sleep problems (insomnia);
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;
runny nose, cold symptoms; or
joint pain.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about balsalazide?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to balsalazide or to salicylates (such as aspirin,
Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others).
Before taking balsalazide, tell your doctor if you have a stomach disorder called pyloric
stenosis, kidney disease, or an infection that you are treating with antibiotics.
Tell your doctor if your symptoms get worse after you start taking balsalazide.
Balsalazide may interact with antibiotics. Tell your doctor if you need to take an antibiotic during
treatment with balsalazide.
What should I avoid while taking balsalazide?
Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.
What other drugs will affect balsalazide?
Balsalazide may interact with antibiotics. Tell your doctor if you need to take an antibiotic during
treatment with balsalazide.
There may be other drugs that can interact with balsalazide. Tell your doctor about all the
prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal
products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling
your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of balsalazide?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
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drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009