Health Library

Olsalazine (By mouth)

Olsalazine (ol-SAL-a-zeen)

Prevents ulcerative colitis (bowel disease) from occurring again.

Brand Name(s):

Dipentum

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it. Take this medicine with food.
• Drink extra fluids so you will urinate more often and help prevent kidney problems.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how olsalazine works. Tell your doctor if you are also using azathioprine, mercaptopurine, blood thinners (including heparin, warfarin), or NSAIDs.
• This medicine may interfere with vaccines. Ask your doctor before you get a flu shot or any other vaccines. Do not use this medicine for at least 6 weeks after receiving varicella vaccine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, or skin problems (including atopic dermatitis, atopic eczema). Tell your doctor if you had an allergic reaction to sulfasalazine.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Kidney problems, including kidney stones
  • Mesalamine-induced acute intolerance syndrome
  • Heart problems, including myocarditis, pericarditis
  • Liver problems
  • Serious skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Bloody diarrhea, severe cramping, stomach pain, headache
• Change in how much or how often you urinate, difficult or painful urination, lower back or side pain
• Chest pain, trouble breathing
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, yellow skin or eyes
• Fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat
• Fever, chills, cough, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, body aches

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Joint pain
• Mild diarrhea, stomach upset
• Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024