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Pentasa vs. Apriso

Are Pentasa and Apriso the Same Thing?

Pentasa (mesalamine) and Apriso (mesalamine extended-release capsules) are anti-inflammatory agents used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis. Pentasa and Apriso are also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.

Side effects of Pentasa and Apriso are similar and include diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps or upset, gas, fever, sore throat, flu symptoms, constipation, dizziness, tired feeling, or skin rash.

Both Pentasa and Apriso may interact with azathioprine, mercaptopurine, pentamidine, tacrolimus, amphotericin B, antibiotics, antiviral medicines, cancer medicine, or aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Pentasa?

Common side effects of Pentasa include:

  • diarrhea,
  • headache,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • stomach cramps,
  • gas,
  • fever,
  • sore throat,
  • other flu symptoms,
  • constipation,
  • dizziness,
  • tired feeling, or
  • skin rash.

Infrequently, Pentasa can worsen ulcerative colitis. Tell your doctor if your symptoms worsen after starting Pentasa (such as increased abdominal pain or cramping, bloody diarrhea, and fever). Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Pentasa including:

What Are Possible Side Effects of Apriso?

Common side effects of Apriso include:

  • diarrhea,
  • headache,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • gas,
  • fever,
  • sore throat,
  • flu symptoms,
  • runny/stuffy nose,
  • stomach cramps or upset,
  • constipation,
  • dizziness,
  • tired feeling, or
  • skin rash.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Apriso including:

  • changes in the amount of urine,
  • dark urine,
  • persistent nausea or vomiting,
  • severe stomach or abdominal pain or cramping,
  • yellowing eyes or skin (jaundice),
  • chest pain,
  • shortness of breath, or
  • bloody diarrhea.

What Is Pentasa?

Pentasa (mesalamine) is an anti-inflammatory agent used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis. Pentasa is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.

What Is Apriso?

Apriso (mesalamine extended-release capsules) is an aminosalicylate anti-inflammatory drug used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis. Apriso is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.

What Drugs Interact With Pentasa?

Pentasa may interact with pazathioprine or mercaptopurine, pentamidine, tacrolimus, amphotericin B, antibiotics, antiviral medicines, cancer medicine, or aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

What Drugs Interact With Apriso?

Apriso may interact with azathioprine, mercaptopurine, pentamidine, tacrolimus, amphotericin B, antibiotics, antiviral medicines, cancer medicines, aspirin or other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Apriso should be used only when prescribed. This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

How Should Pentasa Be Taken?

The recommended dosage of Pentasa for the induction of remission and the symptomatic treatment of mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis is 1g (four 250 mg capsules or two 500 mg capsules) 4 times a day for a total daily dosage of 4g. Treatment duration may be up to 8 weeks.

How Should Apriso Be Taken?

The recommended dose for maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis in adult patients is 1.5 g (four Apriso capsules) orally once daily in the morning.

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