Uses of Mesagut 1 gm: - Ulcerative colitis Ulcerative colitis, Hairy cell leukaemia Hypersensitivity to mesalazine, salicylates and sulfasalazine. Severe impaired renal (CrCl < 20 ml/min) or hepatic function. Children <2 yr.

How to use Mesalazine: Use it as advised by your doctor or check the label for directions before use. Mesalazine is to be taken with food. Adult Dose: Oral Ulcerative colitis Adult: Dose is dependant on preparation and brand used. Acute attack: Initially, up to 4 g daily in 2-4 doses; Maintenance of remission: 2 g daily in 2 divided doses. Child Dose: Oral Ulcerative colitis 5-12 yr: Acute attack: 15-20 mg/kg (max: 1 g) tid; Maintenance of remission: 10 mg/kg (max: 500 mg) 2-3 times daily. Renal Dose: Renal impairment: CrCl (ml/min) Dosage Recommendation <20 Avoid.

Do not give with lactulose or other drugs which lower pH for they prevent release of mesalazine. May decrease digoxin absorption.

Hypersensitivity to mesalazine, salicylates and sulfasalazine. Severe impaired renal (CrCl < 20 ml/min) or hepatic function. Children <2 yr.

Common - Flatulence - Hair loss - Headache - Itching - Diarrhea - Nausea - Stomach pain/epigastric pain - Stomach pain Abdominal pain (if new abdominal pain - consider pancreatitis); headache, nausea; flu; fatigue; fever, rash; sore throat; diarrhoea; joint pain; dizziness; bloating; back pain; haemorrhoids; itching; rectal pain, constipation; hair loss; intolerance syndrome; peripheral oedema; UTI; myocarditis, pre-existing pericarditis; pancreatitis; nephritis; hepatitis; lupus-like syndrome; alopecia; myalgia, arthralgia; increased liver enzyme values. Potentially Fatal: Blood dyscrasias, aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis; renal toxicity.

Precaution: Mild to moderate impaired renal or hepatic function (test serum creatinine before treatment, every 3 mth for 1st yr, every 6 mth for next 4 yr, then annually). Elderly; active peptic ulcer; pregnancy, lactation; patients predisposed to pericarditis or myocariditis. Counsel patients to report any unexplained bleeding, bruising, purpura, sore throat, fever or malaise during treatment; perform blood count and stop treatment if blood dyscrasias suspected. Counsel patients taking delayed release tablets to report repeatedly unbroken or partially broken tablets in their faeces. Pyloric stenosis may delay release into colon.

Mesalazine is considered to be the active moiety of sulfasalazine. The mechanism of action is uncertain, but may be due to its ability to inhibit local chemical mediators of the inflammatory response especially leukotriene synthesis in the GI mucosa. Action may be topical in terminal ileum and colon rather than systemic.