balsalazide disodium at a glance
Medicine class
Aminosalicylate, also called a 5-ASA.
Main role
Treats mild-to-moderate active ulcerative colitis and helps maintain remission.
Administration
Swallow the capsules whole, preferably with or after food.
Safety checks
Blood, kidney and liver-related monitoring is required during treatment.
What is balsalazide disodium used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for adults with ulcerative colitis.
Treatment of mild-to-moderate active ulcerative colitis.
Maintenance of remission to help prevent further episodes.
How does balsalazide disodium work?
Bacteria in the colon split balsalazide to release mesalazine onto the bowel lining, where it reduces inflammation. The precise anti-inflammatory mechanism is not fully established.
balsalazide disodium preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 750 mg
How to take balsalazide disodium
Follow the prescriber's directions and the pack leaflet.
Swallow capsules whole, with water if needed.
Take preferably with or after food.
Maintain adequate fluid intake, particularly during prolonged vomiting, diarrhoea, fever or heavy sweating.
Do not stop treatment without discussing it with the prescribing team.
balsalazide disodium side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Feeling sick or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Rash
- Joint or muscle pain
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction or angioedema
- Blood-cell disorders, with possible bruising, bleeding, fever, sore throat or marked tiredness
- Kidney inflammation or impairment
- Inflammation of the heart, liver or pancreas
- Serious lung reactions with cough, fever or breathlessness
- Worsening ulcerative colitis
balsalazide disodium in pregnancy
The selected product is contraindicated during pregnancy because direct human experience is limited. If pregnant, planning pregnancy or becoming pregnant, contact the specialist or prescriber and do not stop treatment without advice.
balsalazide disodium while breastfeeding
The selected product is contraindicated while breastfeeding. Discuss an appropriate treatment with the specialist or prescriber.
balsalazide disodium interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines and supplements. Important considerations include:
Azathioprine or mercaptopurine
May increase the risk of blood-cell disorders, requiring additional caution and monitoring.
Methotrexate
Competition for kidney secretion may increase methotrexate exposure.
Digoxin
Reduced absorption is uncertain but possible; monitoring digoxin levels is recommended when balsalazide is started.
Common questions about balsalazide disodium
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is balsalazide disodium the same as mesalazine?
No. Balsalazide is a carrier compound that colonic bacteria split to release mesalazine, its active anti-inflammatory component.
Can it keep ulcerative colitis in remission?
Yes. Maintenance of remission is a licensed use of the selected UK product.
Can the capsules be chewed or crushed?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.