Dipentum and/or Equivalents

Dipentum

Dipentum Drug Description

Dipentum is the brand name of a medication that belongs to the group known as anti-inflammatories. It is prescribed in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, a condition in which there is inflammation inside the bowel. Ulcerative colitis is fairly common in people of different age groups. It affects the colon’s inner lining (large intestine) and rectum. You doctor will prescribe Dipentum for you if you are suffering from ulcerative colitis. Dipentum is available as 250 mg capsules. Each capsule contains 250mg of olsalazine sodium as the active ingredient. The capsule also contains magnesium stearate, caramel, black iron oxide, titanium dioxide and gelatin as the inactive ingredients. The capsules are beige in colour and ‘DIPENTUM® 250 mg’ is printed on the capsule cover. They are available in bottles of 100 and 300 capsules in each bottle. Dipentum is presented by Pfizer Inc.

Conditions Treated by Dipentum

Dipentum is indicated in the treatment of ulcerative colitis. Olsalazine, the prime ingredient in Dipentum, is an anti-inflammatory formulation and works by decreasing the severity of inflammation inside the bowel. It is often prescribed to prevent future occurrence of ulcerative colitis and as a long-term maintenance treatment for remission of the condition. Dipentum is also prescribed concomitantly with anti-inflammatory medicines such as corticosteroids to treat mild attacks of ulcerative colitis.

Dipentum Dosage Information

a.) Typical dosage recommendations

Several factors influence the standard dosage of a patient including age, body weight, present medical condition, past medical history, individual response, tolerance level etc. In general, the initial dosage of Dipentum is two 250 mg capsules i.e. 500mg per day. Depending on your tolerance and response, your physician will gradually increase the dosage to two capsules to be taken four times in a day. The doses should be taken with food at equal intervals so that you do not ingest more than 1gm in a particular dose. In case of children, the dosage depends on the body weight and age of the child.

b.) Missing a dose

In case you have missed a particular dose of Dipentum, take it whenever you remember but skip it if it’s time for your next dose. Do not overdose in order to compensate for a missed dose by taking two doses together.

c.) Overdosing

Consult your physician in case you have accidentally overdosed Dipentum capsules. You may require symptomatic treatment for overdosing symptoms which may include diarrhea, vomiting and feeling of nausea.

Dipentum Warnings

Before commencing treatment with Dipentum, you should consult your physician to know everything about the medicine including the risks, benefits, precautions etc. Your physician too should know if you are allergic to any of the active or inactive ingredients present in the formulation. You should also disclose your present medical condition especially if you are suffering from asthma, renal or hepatic impairment, if you are allergic to salicylates (such as Salflex, aspirin, Novasal, Tricosal etc) or if you have any other significant medical condition. All this will help your physician to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the medicine for your condition. You will also need regular monitoring during the tenure of your treatment. Contact your physician immediately if your colitis conditions seem to be worsening. Symptoms may include bloody stool or dark urine which indicates any internal bleeding in your stomach. Strictly follow your physician’s instructions regarding dosage schedule, any restrictions on food or beverages and other precautions while using Dipentum. Never change your doses arbitrarily or discontinue taking the medicine without consulting your medical caregiver. Always take Dipentum with food in equally divided doses. Avoid taking chickenpox vaccine (varicella) within six weeks of ending your treatment with Dipentum. You may have to undergo long-term treatment of ulcerative colitis with Dipentum as the condition can often relapse. Discuss with your doctor for the most effective duration of treatment so that risks of relapse can be significantly reduced. It is best not to use Dipentum while you are pregnant or nursing. Discuss with your doctor so that he/she can prescribe the medicine only after weighing the risks and benefits of the medication to your health. Some patients may experience diarrhoea as a withdrawal symptom once they discontinue using Dipentum or after the treatment is complete. Discuss this with your medical caregiver for proper remedial measures. Always store Dipentum at room temperature in a cool and dark place. Keep it away from children and pets.

Dipentum Side Effects

Most medicines cause side effects though the severity of the effects is not the same for all patients. Side effects may also be permanent or easily curable, severe or moderate in nature. You must discuss with your physician the possible side effects of Dipentum before using the medicine. In general, side effects include:

• Bloating
• Diarrhoea
• Stomach ache
• Upset stomach
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Loss of appetite
• Inflammation inside the mouth
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Bloody stools
• Irregular heart beat
• Fever
• Yellowed skin or eyes
• Skin allergy

Consult your physician immediately if you experience any of the above symptoms or have any discomfort while using Dipentum.

Dipentum Drug Interactions

It is common for most medicines to interact with each other. Olsalazine, the prime ingredient n Dipentum can interact with medications like warfarnin (a blood thinning formulation), mercaptopurine, heparin, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or thioguanine. The inactive ingredients in Dipentum can also interact with other medicines you are taking. It is best to discuss with your physician about all the medications you are using presently so that he/she can take the best decision. Your medical caregiver should also know about other non-prescription preparations you may be using such as dietary supplement, herbal preparations, vitamins etc. Nicotine, caffeine, alcohol or other street drugs may also affect the efficacy of a medicine or interact with it. Discuss all such aspects with your doctor before commencing treatment with Dipentum so that you can be sure of its safety and effectiveness.

If you have any questions about buying discount Dipentum online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.

Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Dipentum and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information