Balsalazide Disodium, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: anti-inflammatory

Generic and brand names: balsalazide disodium, oral; Colazal

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat mild or moderate ulcerative colitis (a severe inflammation of the colon or bowel that usually causes abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea).

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• kidney disease
• pyloric stenosis (a narrowing of the entry to the stomach).

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How should I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Usually you will need to take it for 8 to 12 weeks. Do not take more or take it for longer than your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not chew or open capsules. Swallow them whole with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Worse ulcerative colitis symptoms (such as increased abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea), fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes, decrease in urine production, chest pain.

Other: Headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, gas, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, tiredness, hair loss, dizziness, dry mouth, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as penicillin (Vee-Tids), amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox), sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra), erythromycin (EES, Ery-tabs), levofloxacin (Levaquin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), azithromycin (Zithromax), and clarithromycin (Biaxin)
• azathioprine (Imuran)
• digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin)
• mercaptopurine (Purinethol).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.