What is Pentasa: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Pentasa

• Carefully follow all directions if you are changing from one brand of this medicine to another brand. Different brands may have different instructions.

• Part of the medicine may pass into your stools. Tell your doctor if this happens repeatedly.

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• Keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days.

• Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not open, break, crush, or chew it.

• Delayed-release capsule or tablet: Take it on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

• Asacol® delayed-release tablet: Oral routeYou may take this medicine with or without food. Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

• Lialda® delayed-release tablet: Take with food.

• Pentasa® extended-release capsule: You may swallow the capsule whole, or open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto soft foods (including applesauce or yogurt). Swallow the mixture right away without chewing.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Asacol® delayed-release tablet: Oral routeYou may take this medicine with or without food. Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.

• Carefully follow all directions if you are changing from one brand of this medicine to another brand. Different brands may have different instructions.

• Keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days.

• Lialda® delayed-release tablet: Take with food.

• Part of the medicine may pass into your stools. Tell your doctor if this happens repeatedly.

• Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not open, break, crush, or chew it.

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

• Delayed-release capsule or tablet: Take it on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• Pentasa® extended-release capsule: You may swallow the capsule whole, or open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto soft foods (including applesauce or yogurt). Swallow the mixture right away without chewing.

What to do if you miss a dose of Pentasa

Pentasa contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to mesalamine, an aminosalicylate, or salicylate medicine (including aspirin).

Pentasa warnings

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease (including a history of myocarditis or pericarditis), skin problems (including atopic dermatitis, atopic eczema), or a history of stomach problems (including blockage, pyloric stenosis). Tell your doctor if you had an allergic reaction to sulfasalazine.

• This medicine may cause the following problems:Kidney problems (including kidney stones)Mesalamine-induced acute intolerance syndromeHeart problems (including myocarditis, pericarditis)Liver problems

• Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). The Apriso® extended-release capsules contain aspartame, which may cause unwanted effects in patients with this condition.

• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Pentasa interactions

• Do not use Apriso® together with an antacid.

• Some medicines can affect how mesalamine works. Tell your doctor if you are also using azathioprine, mercaptopurine, an antacid, or NSAIDs (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen).

• Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). The Apriso„¢ extended-release capsules contain aspartame, which may be a problem for people who have PKU.

• Carefully follow all directions if you are changing from one brand of this medicine to another brand. Different brands may have different instructions.

• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.