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Lialda vs. Colazal

Are Colazal and Lialda the Same Thing?

Lialda (mesalamine) and Colazal (balsalazide) are anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat ulcerative colitis.

Lialda is also used to treat proctitis and proctosigmoiditis, and also to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.

Side effects of Lialda and Colazal that are similar include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, or headache.

Side effects of Lialda that are different from Colazal include stomach cramps, gas, flu-like symptoms, constipation, dizziness, tired feeling, or skin rash.

Side effects of Colazal that are different from Lialda include joint pain, abdominal or stomach pain, trouble sleeping (insomnia), loss of appetite, runny nose, or cold symptoms.

Both Lialda and Colazal may interact with antibiotics.

Lialda may also interact with azathioprine, mercaptopurine, pentamidine, tacrolimus, amphotericin B, antiviral medicines, cancer medicine, aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

 

What Are Possible Side Effects of Lialda?

Common side effects of Lialda include:

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

Contact your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Lialda including:

  • severe stomach pain,
  • fever,
  • headache, and
  • bloody diarrhea.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Colazal?

Common side effects of Colazal include:

  • headache,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • joint pain,
  • abdominal or stomach pain,
  • diarrhea,
  • trouble sleeping (insomnia),
  • loss of appetite,
  • runny nose,
  • fever,
  • sore throat, or
  • cold symptoms.

Infrequently, Colazal can worsen ulcerative colitis. Tell your doctor if your symptoms worsen after starting this medication. Tell your doctor if you have rare but very serious side effects of Colazal including:

What Is Lialda?

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

What Is Colazal?

Colazal (balsalazide) is an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat active ulcerative colitis. Colazal is available in generic form.

 

What Drugs Interact With Lialda?

Lialda may interact with azathioprine or mercaptopurine, pentamidine, tacrolimus, amphotericin B, antibiotics, antiviral medicines, cancer medicine, aspirin or other NSAIDs. Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. Lialda is not expected to be harmful to a fetus. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. This medication can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication if you are breastfeeding.

What Drugs Interact With Colazal?

Colazal may interact with antibiotics. Other drugs may interact with Colazal. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Colazal should be used only when prescribed. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

 

How Should Lialda Be Taken?

The recommended dosage of Lialda for the induction of remission in adult patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis is two to four 1.2 g tablets taken once daily with a meal for a total daily dose of 2.4 g or 4.8 g. The recommended dosage for the maintenance of remission is two 1.2 g tablets taken once daily with a meal for a total daily dose of 2.4 g.

How Should Colazal Be Taken?

For treatment of active ulcerative colitis in adult patients, the usual dose of Colazal is three 750 mg capsules to be taken 3 times a day for up to 8 weeks. The usual dose for pediatric patients aged 5 to 17 years dose is EITHER: three 750 mg capsules 3 times a day for up to 8 weeks; OR one 750 mg capsule 3 times a day for up to 8 weeks.