Mesala 400

Introduction
Mesala 400 is an anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat a type of bowel disease known as ulcerative colitis. It helps to reduce symptoms such as diarrhea, bleeding and stomach pain by reducing inflammation in the bowel. Mesala 400 may also be used to treat another type of bowel disease known as Crohn’s ileocolitis. It should be taken with food. The tablets should be swallowed whole with water, do not break, crush or chew them. The dose will depend on what you are being treated for but take it exactly as your doctor prescribes. You should keep taking this medicine for as long as your doctor recommends. If you stop treatment too early your symptoms may come back and your condition may worsen. The most common side effects of this medicine include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, headache, hair loss, itching and flatulence. If these symptoms bother you, do not go away or get worse, tell your doctor. There may be ways of reducing or preventing them. Some people may get a severe allergic reaction which needs urgent medical attention. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms like swelling of the face, tongue, throat or lips, unusual bleeding, bruising, rash, fever, sore throat or excessive tiredness. Before taking it, tell your doctor if you have any kidney or liver problems or a blockage in your stomach. Your age may also be a factor in deciding whether this medicine is suitable. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor before taking this medicine. Let your doctor know about all other medications you are taking as some may affect, or be affected by this medicine.

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Uses of Mesala 400
Ulcerative colitis
Side effects of Mesala 400
Common
Flatulence
Hair loss
Headache
Itching
Diarrhea
Nausea
Stomach pain/epigastric pain
Stomach pain
How to use Mesala 400
Use it as advised by your doctor or check the label for directions before use. Mesala 400 is to be taken with food.
How Mesala 400 works
Mesala 400 is an aminosalicylate. It works by suppressing the production of chemical messengers (prostaglandins) that cause inflammation (swelling) in the intestines. This reduces ulceration, bleeding and stomach pain, and prevents future flare-ups of the disease.
What if you forget to take Mesala 400?
If you miss a dose of Mesala 400, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Quick Tips
You have been prescribed Vegaz OD Tablet PR for treating and lowering the symptoms of mild inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis.
Your doctor may monitor your kidney and liver functions before you start treatment with this medicine and regularly thereafter. Inform your doctor if you have severely decreased kidney or liver function.
Do not take Vegaz OD Tablet PR if you are allergic to aspirin or if you have blood disorders.
Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.
Brief Description
Indication
Ulcerative colitis, Hairy cell leukaemia
Adult Dose
Oral Ulcerative colitis Adult: Dose is dependant on preparation and brand used. Acute attack: Initially, up to 4 g daily in 2-4 doses; Maintenance of remission: 2 g daily in 2 divided doses.

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Child Dose
Oral Ulcerative colitis 5-12 yr: Acute attack: 15-20 mg/kg (max: 1 g) tid; Maintenance of remission: 10 mg/kg (max: 500 mg) 2-3 times daily.

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Renal Dose
Renal impairment: CrCl (ml/min) Dosage Recommendation <20 Avoid. _ Contraindication Hypersensitivity to mesalazine, salicylates and sulfasalazine. Severe impaired renal (CrCl < 20 ml/min) or hepatic function. Children <2 yr. _ Mode of Action Mesalazine is considered to be the active moiety of sulfasalazine. The mechanism of action is uncertain, but may be due to its ability to inhibit local chemical mediators of the inflammatory response especially leukotriene synthesis in the GI mucosa. Action may be topical in terminal ileum and colon rather than systemic. Precaution Mild to moderate impaired renal or hepatic function (test serum creatinine before treatment, every 3 mth for 1st yr, every 6 mth for next 4 yr, then annually). Elderly; active peptic ulcer; pregnancy, lactation; patients predisposed to pericarditis or myocariditis. Counsel patients to report any unexplained bleeding, bruising, purpura, sore throat, fever or malaise during treatment; perform blood count and stop treatment if blood dyscrasias suspected. Counsel patients taking delayed release tablets to report repeatedly unbroken or partially broken tablets in their faeces. Pyloric stenosis may delay release into colon. Side Effect Abdominal pain (if new abdominal pain - consider pancreatitis); headache, nausea; flu; fatigue; fever, rash; sore throat; diarrhoea; joint pain; dizziness; bloating; back pain; haemorrhoids; itching; rectal pain, constipation; hair loss; intolerance syndrome; peripheral oedema; UTI; myocarditis, pre-existing pericarditis; pancreatitis; nephritis; hepatitis; lupus-like syndrome; alopecia; myalgia, arthralgia; increased liver enzyme values. Potentially Fatal: Blood dyscrasias, aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis; renal toxicity. _ Interaction Do not give with lactulose or other drugs which lower pH for they prevent release of mesalazine. May decrease digoxin absorption.