| Pharmacy Drug Brand Name: | Colazal® |
| Active Ingredient(s): | balsalazide disodium |
| Strength(s) / Dose(s): | 750mg |
| Delivery / Dosage Form(s): | Capsule |
| Company Manufacturer Name: | Salix Pharmaceuticals Inc. |
| Availability / Prescription: | Prescription only |
| FDA Approval Date *: | July 18, 2000 |
* Approval by the FDA does not necessarily mean that this drug is available for consumers at this time.
What is Colazal used for?
Colazal is used to treat the signs and symptoms of mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis. The safety and efficacy of Colazal are not known after 12 weeks.
Who should not take Colazal?
You should not take Colazal if you are allergic to medicines containing:
- salicylates, such as aspirin
- mesalamine (Rowasa®, Asacol®, or Pentasa®)
General Precautions with Colazal:
Some people experience a worsening of their colitis symptoms possibly related to the use of Colazal.
What should I tell my doctor or health care (healthcare) provider?
Tell your doctor or health care (healthcare) provider if you have kidney disease or damage or a history of kidney problems. Patients taking products that contain the same active ingredient as Colazal have sometimes had kidney problems.
Tell your health care (healthcare) provider if you are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
Tell your health care (healthcare) provider if you have pyloric stenosis, a narrowing of the muscle that controls the emptying of the stomach.
Because certain other medications such as antibiotics may interact with Colazal, review all medications that you are taking with your health care (healthcare) provider, including those that you take without a prescription.
What are some possible side effects of Colazal? (This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects assosciated with Colazal. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide expert advice on the possible side effects of this drug.)
Common side effects include:
- Headache
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Reports of patients’ experience with similar products:
/EM>In patients taking products that contain the same active ingredient as Colazal (mesalamine), several serious liver-related side effects have been reported, including abnormal liver function tests, jaundice, cirrhosis, liver damage, and liver failure. It is not possible to determine how often these side effects occur or whether these events are directly related to the active ingredient.