Colazal (Balsalazide) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 16, 2012

Colazal

Crohn's Disease »

What is Crohn's disease?

Crohn's disease (also spelled Crohn disease) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines. It primarily causes ulcerations (breaks in the lining) of the small and large intestines, but can affect the digestive system anywhere from the mouth to the anus. It is named after the physician who described the disease in 1932. It also is called granulomatous enteritis or colitis, regional enteritis, ileitis, or terminal ileitis.

Crohn's disease is related closely to another chronic inflammatory condition that involves only the colon called ulcerative colitis. Together, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are frequently referred to as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease have no medical cure. Once the diseases begin, they tend to fluctuate between periods of inactivity (remission) and activity (relapse).

Inflammatory bowel disease affects approximately 500,000 to two million peop...

Read the Crohn's Disease article »

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Colazal

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COLAZAL®
(balsalazide disodium) Capsules

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Each COLAZAL capsule contains 750 mg of balsalazide disodium, a prodrug that is enzymatically cleaved in the colon to produce mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid or 5-ASA), an anti-inflammatory drug. Each capsule of COLAZAL (balsalazide) (750 mg) is equivalent to 267 mg of mesalamine. Balsalazide disodium has the chemical name (E)-5-[[-4-[[(2- carboxyethyl) amino]carbonyl] phenyl]azo]-2-hydroxybenzoic acid, disodium salt, dihydrate. Its structural formula is:

COLAZAL (Balsalazide disodium) structural formula illustration

Molecular Weight: 437.32

Molecular Formula: C₁₇H₁₃N₃O₆Na₂•2H₂O

Balsalazide disodium is a stable, odorless orange to yellow microcrystalline powder. It is freely soluble in water and isotonic saline, sparingly soluble in methanol and ethanol, and practically insoluble in all other organic solvents.

Inactive Ingredients: Each hard gelatin capsule contains colloidal silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate. The sodium content of each capsule is approximately 86 mg.

What are the possible side effects of balsalazide (Colazal)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using balsalazide and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

worsening colitis symptoms, such as fever, stomach pain, cramps, or bloody diarrhea;
bleeding from your rectum; or
pale skin, easy bruising, weakness.

Less serious side effects may include:

headache, sleep problems...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Colazal »

What are the precautions when taking balsalazide (Colazal)?

Before taking balsalazide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to aspirin, NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, celecoxib), or salicylates (e.g., salsalate); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: stomach/intestinal blockage (e.g., pyloric stenosis), liver disease, kidney disease.

This medication is similar to aspirin. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin or aspirin-related medications (e.g., salicylates) if they have chickenpox, flu, or any undiagnosed illness, or if they have just been given a live virus vaccine...

Read All Potential Precautions of Colazal »

Last reviewed on RxList: 9/3/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.