Pentasa vs. Colazal, Giazo

• Are Colazal, Giazo and Pentasa the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Pentasa?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Colazal, Giazo?
• What Is Pentasa?
• What Is Colazal, Giazo?
• What Drugs Interact with Pentasa?
• What Drugs Interact with Colazal, Giazo?
• How Should Pentasa Be Taken?
• How Should Colazal, Giazo Be Taken?

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

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

Side effects of Pentasa and Colazal and Giazo that are similar include diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, fever, sore throat, and other cold or flu symptoms.

Infrequently, Pentasa and Colazal and Giazo can worsen ulcerative colitis.

Side effects of Pentasa that are different from Colazal and Giazo include stomach cramps, gas, constipation, dizziness, tired feeling, and skin rash.

Side effects of Colazal and Giazo that are different from Pentasa include joint pain, abdominal or stomach pain, trouble sleeping (insomnia), and loss of appetite.

Both Pentasa and Colazal and Giazo may interact with antibiotics.

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

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:

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

Common side effects of Colazal, Giazo 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:

• changes in the amount of urine,
• yellowing eyes or skin,
• dark urine,
• unusual or extreme tiredness,
• severe stomach or abdominal pain,
• persistent nausea or vomiting,
• burning or painful urination, or
• fast or pounding heartbeat.

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.

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

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).

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.

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.

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.