Olsalazine
Why this is used
Olsalazine, an anti-inflammatory medicine, is used to treat ulcerative colitis, a condition in which the bowel is inflamed. Olsalazine reduces the bowel inflammation, diarrhea (stool frequency), rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How to take it
Olsalazine comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken twice a day after meals or with food to prevent stomach upset. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take olsalazine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Side effects
<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Olsalazine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
<ul>
<li>
stomach upset</li>
<li>
bloating</li>
<li>
loss of appetite</li>
<li>
blurred vision</li>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
pain in joints</li>
<li>
dizziness</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
<ul>
<li>
skin rash</li>
<li>
chest pain</li>
<li>
diarrhea</li>
<li>
unusual bleeding or bruising</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>
<ul>
<li>
stomach upset</li>
<li>
bloating</li>
<li>
loss of appetite</li>
<li>
blurred vision</li>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
pain in joints</li>
<li>
dizziness</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
<ul>
<li>
skin rash</li>
<li>
chest pain</li>
<li>
diarrhea</li>
<li>
unusual bleeding or bruising</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>
Precautions
Before taking olsalazine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to olsalazine, aspirin or aspirin-like medicines, or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin) and vitamins. plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to the sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Olsalazine may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
Educational reference only — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber about Olsalazine.