When another medicine (sulfasalazine) could not be tolerated, ulcerative colitis (a disorder that causes swelling and ulcers in the lining of the colon [large intestine] and rectum) is treated in adults with olsalazine. Olsalazine belongs to the group of drugs known as anti-inflammatory agents. Olsalazine lessens abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhoea (frequent stools), and intestinal inflammation.

Olsalazine is available as a pill to swallow. It is often taken twice daily, either with or after meals. Ask your doctor or chemist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Olsalazine should be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

While taking olsalazine, drink lots of fluids.

Other prescriptions for this drug are possible. For more information, consult your physician or chemist.

Before taking olsalazine,

• If you have an allergy to any of the following: olsalazine, balsalazide (Colazal, Giazo), mesalamine (Apriso, Pentasa, Rowasa, and others); salicylate painkillers including aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate, diflunisal, and magnesium salicylate (Doan’s, among others); sulfasalazine (Azulfidine); any other drugs; or any of the components found in olsalazine capsules. Get a list of the ingredients from your chemist.
• Inform your doctor and chemist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Mention any of the following: azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran), mercaptopurine (Purixan), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen; anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, or warfarin (Coum (Aleve, Naprosyn). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your physician if you now have or have ever had a skin problem like eczema (atopic dermatitis, a skin condition that causes dryness, itching, and occasionally the development of red, scaly rashes), kidney stones, or kidney or liver disease.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking olsalazine.
• Plan to use protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen as well as to minimise excessive or prolonged sun exposure. Your skin could become photosensitive if you take olsalazine.
• You ought to be aware that olsalazine may result in a severe reaction. It may be challenging to distinguish between a reaction to the medicine and a flare-up (episode of symptoms) of your disease because many of the symptoms of this reaction are similar to those of ulcerative colitis. If you suffer any or all of the following signs, contact your doctor right away: stomach cramps, rash, fever, headache, or bloody diarrhoea.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Olsalazine could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Bloating
• Reduced appetite
• Headache
• Joint or muscle ache
• Dizziness
• Trouble sleeping or staying asleep

The following symptoms, as well as those in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, should be reported to your doctor right away, or you should seek emergency medical attention:

• Hives, a rash, itchy, blistering, or peeling skin
• Fever
• Enlargement of the mouth, throat, lips, tongue, eyes, or other body parts
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• New or intensifying cough
• Breathing difficulty
• Chest pain
• Diarrhea
• Uncommon bruising or bleeding
• Extreme fatigue
• Eyes or skin that have a yellow tint
• Stomach ache in the right upper portion
• Light stools
• Urination that is difficult, painful, hazy, discoloured, or bloody
• Back ache

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling agency in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose signs could include the following:

• Nausea, vomiting, and discomfort in the abdomen
• Shallow or fast breathing
• Hearing ringing
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Seizures

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how you are responding to olsalazine, your doctor may request specific lab tests. Inform the lab staff that you take olsalazine before you undergo any testing, as this medicine may interfere with some procedures.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.