Olsalazine

Olsalazine is used to treat ulcerative colitis in adults.

Olsalazine may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Olsalazine is usually taken twice per day.

Always take this medicine with food.

Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking olsalazine to keep your kidneys working properly.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using olsalazine.

Call your doctor if your ulcerative colitis symptoms get worse, or if you also have a fever, headache, or rash.

Store olsalazine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Follow all instructions on your medicine label and package. Inform all your healthcare providers about your medical conditions, allergies, and all medications you are taking.

You should not use olsalazine if you are allergic to olsalazine, balsalazide, mesalamine, or sulfasalazine, or to salicylates such as aspirin, Novasal, Doan's Extra Strength, Salflex, Tricosal, and others.

Your treatment with olsalazine may be delayed if you have received a chickenpox vaccine (varicella, Varivax) within the past 6 weeks.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• kidney disease; or
• a skin disorder such as eczema or atopic dermatitis.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using olsalazine.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, trouble breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Stop using olsalazine and seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Olsalazine may cause serious side effects. Stop using olsalazine and call your doctor right away if you have:

• worsening colitis (fever, stomach pain, cramping, or bloody diarrhea).

Also call your doctor right away if you have:

• severe or ongoing diarrhea;
• chest pain, shortness of breath, fast or pounding heartbeats;
• low blood cell counts—fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed;
• liver problems—loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• kidney problems—swelling, urinating less, feeling short of breath; or
• signs of a kidney stone—pain in your side or lower back, blood in your urine, painful or difficult urination.

Common side effects of olsalazine may include:

• diarrhea, stomach pain; or
• rash, itching.

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.

Usual Adult Dose for Ulcerative Colitis -- Maintenance:

500 mg orally 2 times a dayUse: Maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis in patients who are intolerant of sulfasalazine

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Signs of an overdose may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, rapid breathing, ringing in your ears, headache, dizziness, confusion, and seizures.

If you have eczema or other skin issues, olsalazine could increase your risk of sunburn. Stay away from sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outside.

Olsalazine can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine;
• thioguanine; or
• a blood thinner--heparin, warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect olsalazine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.