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Balsalazide

  • Important: If you experience any unusual bleeding or bruising, a sore throat, fever (high temperature) or a general feeling of being unwell then contact your doctor immediately
  • Take balsalazide with or immediately after food
  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, speak to your doctor
  • It is important to keep regular appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be checked

About balsalazide

Type of medicine Aminosalicylate
Used for Treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis
Control of the disease by preventing further episodes
Also called Colazide
Available as Capsules

Patients with ulcerative colitis have inflammation of the large intestine. This causes ulceration and bleeding of the intestine and patients suffer from abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Balsalazide works as an anti-inflammatory on the lining of the intestine allowing the damaged tissue to recover. Once the symptoms have been controlled, balsalazide can be used to help prevent a recurrence of the disease.

Before taking balsalazide

Before taking balsalazide make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
  • If you suffer from liver or kidney problems
  • If you suffer from asthma
  • If you have a stomach or duodenal ulcer
  • If you suffer from a blood disorder
  • If you are taking digoxin or methotrexate
  • If you are allergic to balsalazide, mesalazine, aspirin or other salicylates

How to take balsalazide

  • Take balsalazide exactly as directed by your doctor
  • Swallow balsalazide capsules whole (not crushed or chewed), with a glass of water
  • Take balsalazide with or immediately after food

Getting the most from your treatment

  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, speak to your doctor
  • It is important to keep regular appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be checked
  • Depending on your progress your doctor may decide to do some blood tests. The test results will allow your doctor to check your blood count, liver and kidney function.

Can balsalazide cause problems?

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Side-effects What can I do if I experience this
Nausea Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast.
Vomiting Drink plenty of liquid. Stick to simple foods such as dry toast.
Diarrhoea Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids.
Skin rash Avoid scrubbing your skin. Use a soap substitute. Leave the affected area exposed to the air as much as possible.
Headache Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer. If headache continues speak with your doctor.

Important: If you experience any unusual bleeding or bruising, a sore throat, fever (high temperature) or a general feeling of being unwell then contact your doctor immediately.

If you suffer an allergic reaction including swelling of the face, tongue, throat and lips, you must seek immediate medical attention.

Other side-effects may include stomach pain, worsening of ulcerative colitis, breathing difficulties, aches and pains in the joints or muscles, skin rashes, hair loss, chest pain, increased heart rate, tiredness and flu-like symptoms. If you experience these or any other worrying symptoms, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store balsalazide

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
© EMIS 2007 DocID:
3329		 DocRef:
dils2296		 Last Updated:
8 Mar 2007		 Date of Next Review:
7 Mar 2009		 Version:
22

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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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