Mesalazine (Pentasa)

Indications

Mild-to-moderately active UC, acute attacks and remission maintenance in adults and children. Some preparations are not licensed for use in children.

Contraindications

Blood clotting abormalities; pulmonary disease; salicylate hypersensitivity; pregnancy; hepatic impairment. Use with caution in elderly patients. Monitor breast-fed infants for diarrhoea. | Potential side effects: Joint pain; cough; diarrhoea; dizziness; fever; gastrointestinal discomfort; headache; low white blood cell count; nausea; skin reactions; vomiting

Preparations Available

Oral tablet/granules, rectal foam, enema, suppository

Quantity

Dose: Pentasa granules: Induction (child 5–17 yrs, <40 kg), 10–20 mg/kg ×3; Induction (child 5–17 yrs, ≥40 kg), 1–2 g ×2 or 3–4 DD; Induction (adult), ≤4 g ×1or ≤4 g 2–4×DD; Maintenance (child 5–17 yrs, <40 kg), 7.5–15 mg/kg ×2 or 3×DD; Maintenance (child 5–17 yrs, ≥40 kg), 2 g ×1; Maintenance (adult), 2 g ×1. Pentasa retention enema: Induction (adult), 1 g ×1 bedtime; Induction (child 12–17 yrs), 1 g ×1 bedtime. Pentasa suppositories: Induction (ulcerative proctitis), 1 g 1 for 2–4 wks; Maintenance (ulcerative proctitis), 1 g 1. Pentasa tablets: Induction, ≤4 g ×1 or ≤4 g 2–3×DD; Maintenance, 2 g ×1

Sizes Available

1g sachet (50), £30.74; 1g tablet (60), £36.89; 1g suppository (28), £40.01; 1g 100ml enema/7, £17.73; 2g sachet (60), £73.78

Price

1g sachet (50), £30.74; 1g tablet (60), £36.89; 1g suppository (28), £40.01; 1g 100ml enema/7, £17.73; 2g sachet (60), £73.78

More on: Aminosalicylates