Pentasa and/or Equivalents
| Drug | Related Drug Names |
|---|---|
| Pentasa 1g and/or Equivalents | Pentasa |
| Pentasa 500mg and/or Equivalents | Pentasa |
Pentasa (mesalamine)
Pentasa Description
Pentasa is a medicinal drug that contains the chemical mesalamine or 5-aminosalicylic acid which is an anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of the inflammation of the ulcerative colitis and also in the treatment of Crohn’s disease.
In addition to ulcerative colitis, Pentasa also treats proctosigmoiditis and proctitis. The drug is also used in the prevention of recurrence of symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Pentasa is used to protect the body from tissue damage, diarrhea and inflammation.
Conditions Treated by Pentasa
Pentasa is used primarily for treating inflammations of the digestive tract resulting in ulcerative colitis as well as certain other conditions related to the digestive tract. Mesalamine contained within Pentasa is an aminosalicylate drug that is bowel specific and thus treats conditions of the gut.
Pentasa Dosage Information
a.) Typical Dosage Recommendations
It is extremely important that you take your Pentasa medication exactly as your doctor prescribes. Be very careful not to take bigger or lower amounts or administer the drug for a longer time than recommended and closely follow the directions given on the prescription label.
You should take each dosage of Pentasa with a filled glass or 8 ounces of water. The drug can be administered with or without food. Instead of breaking, chewing or crushing the extended-release capsule, swallow it whole. Pentasa is specially designed in order to release the drug after the capsule has passed from your stomach and into the intestines and breaking open the pill can cause an excessive amounts of the drug to be let out too early, destroy the prolonged effect of the drug and increase the onset of side effects.
b.) Missing a Dose
If you end up missing a dose, take the dose that you missed the moment you remember to do so. If however you remember when it is time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose. However, do not take any extra medication to compensate for this missed dose.
c.) Overdosing
If you overdose on Pentasa, seek medical attention right away. If you exhibit symptoms of overdosing such as confusion, head ache, dizziness, ringing sensation in the ears, diarrhea, vomiting, difficulty in breathing or excessive sweating, consult your doctor and immediately seek medical attention.
Pentasa Warnings
Pentasa can prove to be harmful if you happen to be suffering from certain conditions. It is important that you avoid taking Pentasa if you suffer from severe liver disease. You should also consult a doctor or a pharmacist for dose adjustments or special tests to make sure it is safe for you to take the drug if you happen to be suffering from the following medical conditions:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Pyloric stenosis which is a condition of the stomach
- Congestive heart failure which is a condition of the heart
- A history of suffering from allergy to sulfasalazine
Take extreme care in following your doctor’s order pertaining to any and all restrictions on particular beverages and foods which may affect your body should you consume them in tandem with your Pentasa dosage. Also avoid any and all activities that your doctor has barred you from engaging in while being on Pentasa as the medicine can affect your reflexes and thinking.
It is unknown whether Pentasa is harmful to an unborn child. Mesalamine contained within Pentasa does have the potential of passing through the breast milk and harming a nursing baby. Hence, if you are pregnant or nursing a child and plan on using Pentasa, thoroughly consult with your doctor before you start taking doses.
Additionally, you should definitely avoid taking Pentasa if you happen to be allergic to mesalamine, the chemical contained within the drug.
Pentasa Side Effects
As with most other drugs, Pentasa has a number of side effects. If you exhibit allergic reactions to Pentasa such as:
- hives
- swelling of tongue
- swelling of lips
- inflammation of throat
- swelling of face
- appearance of rashes
- excessive itching and difficulty in breathing
you should seek emergency medical help right away and consult your doctor immediately. The more serious side effects of using Pentasa include:
- Severe pain in the stomach
- High fever
- Severe head aches
- Cramping of the muscles
- Blood in the stool
- Diarrhea
Less harmful side effects of using Pentasa are:
- Vomiting
- Gas formation in the stomach
- Stomach cramps
- Mild nausea
- Constipation
- Head ache
- Dizziness
- Outbreak of skin rashes
- Tired feeling or feeling of exhaustion
- Mild fever
- Flu like symptoms
- Soreness in the throat
The above is not however an exhaustive list and other side effects may arise upon using Pentasa.
Possible Drug Interactions With Pentasa
Pentasa can prove to be harmful if used in tandem with certain other drugs. Make sure to inform your doctor about the following drugs if you are to take Pentasa:
- Prograf(tacrolimus)
- amphotericin B (such as Abelcet, Ambisome, Amphotec and Fungizone)
- pentamidine (such as Pentam and Nebupent)
- Purinethol (Mercaptopurine)
- Azasan (azathioprine)
- Hepsera (adefovir)
- cidofovir (Vistide)
- foscarnet (Foscavir)
- acyclovir (Zovirax)
- aspirin
- certain NSAIDs (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs)
- diclofenac (Voltaren)
- indomethacin
- piroxicam (Feldene)
- Naprosyn (Naproxen)
The above however is not an exclusive list and there are other drugs including minerals, vitamins and herbal products which should not be used simultaneously and concurrently with Pentasa. Hence, it is extremely important that you inform your doctor about any and all medications that you happen to be using at the time of taking Pentasa.
If you have any questions about buying discount Pentasa 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.
Pentasa and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information
