Do you sometimes have an upset stomach, a stomach ache, or a constant need to go to the toilet? This experience is probably familiar to you, especially if you have a long-term inflammatory bowel condition like ulcerative colitis . So today we are going to talk about a drug that doctors often prescribe to help control these conditions. That is a drug called mesalamine . You may know it by the brand name Apriso.
What kind of medicine is Mesalamine?
Simply put, Mesalamine is a medication that helps reduce inflammation in your digestive system, especially the colon . It is used to treat a condition called Ulcerative Colitis and to prevent flare-ups after symptoms have been controlled. This medication belongs to a class of drugs called salicylates .
Imagine, the inside of your colon becomes inflamed, red, and swollen in Ulcerative Colitis. This inflammation is what causes symptoms like stomach pain and diarrhea. Mesalamine works by reducing that inflammation and helping your colon heal. This can provide you with great relief.
Doctors may sometimes prescribe this medication for other conditions, so if you have any questions, it's best to ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What are the things I need to tell the medical team before starting this medication?
Before you start using Mesalamine, it is important to tell your doctor or healthcare team about:
- If you have previously had a condition such as bowel blockage .
- If you have kidney disease .
- If you have liver disease .
- If you have a genetic condition called Phenylketonuria (PKU) (this is a very rare condition).
- If you have pyloric stenosis (narrowing of the opening at the bottom of the stomach).
- If you have had an allergic reaction to mesalamine, aspirin, other salicylates, other medications, foods, artificial colors, or preservatives. This is very important.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
- If you are a breastfeeding mother .
By knowing these things in advance, it will be easier for the doctor to decide whether this medication is right for you or not, or whether the dosage needs to be changed.
How exactly do I use this medicine?
This medicine is taken by mouth with a glass of water. It is best to take it at the same time every day, exactly as your doctor has told you . It comes as a capsule. Do not break, crush, or chew the capsule. Swallow it whole.
You can take this medicine either before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, taking it with food may help reduce the discomfort. You should continue to take this medicine until your healthcare team tells you to stop. Do not stop taking it suddenly.
Important: This medicine may come in different brands. Do not change the brand you are using without talking to your healthcare team. Not all brands have the same dosage.
If you are giving this medicine to children, you should discuss it with your medical team and get special advice. It may require special care.
What if I overdose?
If that happens, meaning you think you've taken more medicine than you thought, call your nearest poison control center or hospital emergency room immediately. Don't delay.
Please note: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share your medicine with others, even if they have the same symptoms as you.
What do you do if you miss a medication appointment?
Oh, that's possible, isn't it? If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so increases the risk of side effects.
What other things can interact with this medicine?
Yes, some medications can interact with other things you are taking. Therefore, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following while taking this medicine:
- Antacids (medicines for stomach inflammation and gastritis)
- Azathioprine
- Mercaptopurine
- NSAIDs - These are medications that are used to treat pain and inflammation. Examples include ibuprofen and naproxen.
This list may not be complete. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you take (prescribed by your doctor and those you can buy over-the-counter), herbs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you use. Also, tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some things can interact with your medications.
What are the things to be careful about when taking this medicine?
Check how your treatment is going, stay in touch with your medical team, and go for check-ups as they tell you. If your symptoms don't improve, or if they get worse, tell your medical team right away. You may also need to have blood work done while you're taking this medicine.
Another thing is that your skin may be more sensitive to sunlight while taking this medicine. This means that your skin may turn red and burn more quickly when you go out in the sun. Therefore, avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. If you do go out, wear protective clothing (such as long-sleeved clothing and a hat) and apply sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
Ask your doctor how much water you should drink per day. Don't let your body become dehydrated. It's very important to drink plenty of water.
What are the side effects? Let's learn about this too
Like any medicine, mesalamine can cause side effects in some people. However, not everyone gets them. Some side effects are serious and you should tell your doctor as soon as you notice them. Some are not serious, but if they persist or bother you, it is a good idea to tell your doctor.
Side effects that should be reported to the medical team immediately:
- Allergic reactions: Skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Dry cough, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath.
- Heart muscle inflammation: Unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands.
- Kidney injury: Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet.
- Kidney stones: Blood in the urine, pain or difficulty urinating, pain in the lower back or flank.
- Liver injury: Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, unusual tiredness or weakness.
- Mesalamine intolerance syndrome: stomach pain or cramping, bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle pain, fever, skin rash.
- Skin rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loose skin (including the skin inside the mouth).
If you experience any of these symptoms, do not delay and seek medical advice immediately.
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (but should be reported to the medical team if they persist or are bothersome):
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Nausea
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sensitivity to light
- Sore throat
- Stomach pain
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience any unusual symptoms, talk to your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) by calling their number at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Sri Lanka, you can contact your doctor or the relevant departments of the Ministry of Health.
How do you keep this medicine safe?
This is a very important thing.
- Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Do not use medicines that have passed their expiration date. Throw them away.
How do you properly dispose of unused and expired medicine?
This is also something we often don't think about. Simply throwing medicine in the trash or flushing it down the toilet can harm the environment. Therefore:
- Check to see if there are any medication take-back programs. You can find out about them at your pharmacy or the police.
- If this is not possible, check the medicine packet or the leaflet inside it to see if it has instructions on whether to throw the medicine in the trash or flush it down the toilet. If you are unsure, ask your healthcare team.
- If it says it's safe to throw in the trash, take the medicine out of the bottle or packet. Mix the medicine with cat litter, soil, or other unwanted material, such as coffee grounds. Then put the mixture in a sealable bag or container and throw it in the trash.
By doing this, you can reduce the risk of medication going into the wrong hands and harming the environment.
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
So, Mesalamine is a very important medicine that helps treat conditions like Ulcerative Colitis.
Remember, this article is only a summary. It may not contain all the information. If you have any further questions about this medicine, be sure to talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.
Take the prescribed dose at the prescribed time, as prescribed by your doctor. Tell us immediately if you have any discomfort or new symptoms. With your support, this medicine will help you control your condition and stay healthy!
` Mesalamine, Apriso, Ulcerative Colitis, Inflammation of the intestine, Ulcerative colitis , Medication, Side effects
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