Mésalazine

About mesalazine

Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation of the intestine which leads to problems such as ulceration and bleeding. This causes symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Crohn's disease is a condition which causes inflammation of any part of the gastrointestinal system. When the inflammation is in the area where the small intestine joins the large intestine, then it is called Crohn's ileo-colitis. Aminosalicylates are a group of medicines commonly used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases such as these. Mesalazine is one of the most commonly used aminosalicylates.

Although it is not clear exactly how mesalazine works, it is thought to act on cells lining the intestine to change the way these cells make and release certain chemicals. These chemicals are thought to be a factor in causing the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Mesalazine allows the damaged intestine to recover and helps to prevent symptoms from flaring up again.

There are a number of different mesalazine preparations and brands. The way the manufacturers make each of these brands differs slightly; this allows the different brands to release mesalazine in specific areas of the intestine. You will be prescribed the brand that allows mesalazine to be released in the part of your intestine which requires it most.

Mesalazine can be taken by mouth as granules or tablets, or it can be given into the back passage as a suppository, rectal foam or enema.

Before taking mesalazine

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking mesalazine it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. (Although mesalazine is unlikely to be harmful to babies, it is still important that you tell your doctor if you are expecting or breastfeeding a baby.)

• Si vous avez des problèmes de fonctionnement du foie ou des reins.

• Si vous avez des problèmes respiratoires.

• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you have had an unusual reaction to aspirin or a salicylate.

• Si vous prenez ou utilisez d'autres médicaments. Cela comprend tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médicaments complémentaires.
  

How to take mesalazine

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about mesalazine, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience.

• Your dose will depend upon which brand of mesalazine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor will tell you how much to take and when to take it, and these directions will also be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what the doctor said to you. Take mesalazine exactly as your doctor tells you to.

• Some mesalazine tablets and granules are specially coated to pass through your stomach before they are absorbed. These must be swallowed whole and not broken, chewed or crushed. Check the label on your pack carefully and follow any advice it gives. Also, do not take any indigestion remedies within two hours of taking your doses (either before or after), as this will interfere with the special coating.

• If you have been given the Mezavant® XL brand of tablets, you should take these after a meal. If you have been given any other brand of tablet, it is unimportant whether you take them before or after a meal.

• If you have been given granules, place the correct amount on to your tongue and wash them down with a drink of water. Do not chew the granules. You can take them either before or after meals. Alternatively the entire contents of the sachet can be poured onto a yoghurt and eaten straightaway.

• Si vous oubliez de prendre une dose, prenez-la dès que vous vous en rendez compte (sauf s'il est presque temps de prendre la dose suivante, auquel cas ne prenez pas la dose oubliée et prenez la dose suivante normalement). Ne prenez pas deux doses en même temps pour compenser une dose oubliée.

How to use mesalazine enema

1. Shake the enema and release the seal on the nozzle.

2. Lie down on one side and draw your top knee up towards your chest. Insert the enema nozzle into your back passage.

3. Squeeze the bottle gently to completely empty the contents. This will take around 30-40 seconds. Remove the nozzle from your back passage. Remain where you are for about 5-10 minutes until the urge to pass the enema has eased.

4. Throw away the empty enema bottle in a plastic bag (these are provided with some brands of enema).

5. Lavez-vous les mains.

How to use mesalazine foam enema

1. Shake the can well to mix the contents.

2. Before you use the can for the first time, remove the plastic safety lock.

3. Push the plastic applicator on to the nozzle of the can.

4. Stand up and place one foot on a firm surface, such as a chair.

5. Hold the canister upside down (with the dome facing down) in the palm of your hand.

6. Insert the applicator into your back passage as far as is comfortable.

7. Push the dome once and release it. This will release one dose of the foam. Repeat if you need two doses.

8. Remove the applicator and place it in one of the plastic bags provided and dispose of it in a bin.

9. Lavez-vous les mains.

How to use mesalazine suppositories

1. Retirer le suppositoire de son emballage.

2. En utilisant votre doigt, poussez doucement le suppositoire dans le passage arrière (rectum). Certaines personnes trouvent qu'il est plus facile de s'accroupir ou de s'allonger sur le côté et de ramener leurs genoux vers leur poitrine.

3. Push the suppository in as far as is comfortable. You may have the urge to pass the suppository out again but this should ease after a few minutes.

4. Lavez-vous les mains.

Tirer le meilleur parti de votre traitement

• Each time you collect a new supply from your pharmacy, check to see if it is the same brand as before. If it is different, discuss this with your pharmacist who will advise you.

• Essayez de respecter vos rendez-vous réguliers avec votre médecin et votre clinique. Il pourra ainsi vérifier vos progrès. Votre médecin vous demandera de faire des analyses de sang régulières pendant le traitement.

• Treatment with mesalazine may be long-term to prevent symptom flare-ups. Continue to take/use it unless you are advised otherwise.

• Your doctor may advise you make some changes to your diet as part of your treatment. This can include a special diet or a nutritional supplement.

• It is important to stay hydrated whilst being treated with mesalazine, ensure you drink the recommended amount of fluids each day.

• You may notice a red-brown discolouration of urine when in contact with certain bleaches used to clean toilets. This is not harmful.

Can mesalazine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains the most common ones associated with mesalazine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si vous ressentez d'autres symptômes qui pourraient être dus au médicament, demandez conseil à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien.

How to store mesalazine

• Conservez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments