Balsalazide (bal sal' a zide) Brand names   Colazal® Why is this medication prescribed?  Balsalazide is used to treat ulcerative colitis, a condition in which the bowel is inflamed. Balsalazide is an anti-inflammatory drug. It is converted in the body to mesalamine and works by reducing bowel inflammation, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and stomach pain. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. How should this medicine be used?   Return to top Balsalazide comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken three times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take balsalazide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Balsalazide is usually taken for 8 weeks, but it may be taken for up to 12 weeks. Continue to take balsalazide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking balsalazide without talking to your doctor. What special precautions should I follow?   Return to top Before taking balsalazide, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to balsalazide, aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate (Tricosal, Trilisate), choline salicylate (Arthropan), diflunisal (Dolobid), magnesium salicylate (Nuprin Backache, Mobidin, Extra Strength Doan's, others), mesalamine (Asacol, Pentasa, Rowasa), salsalate (Argesic-AS, Disalcid, others), sodium salicylate, sodium thiosalicylate (Rexolate), sulfasalzine (Azulfidine), or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially oral antibiotics and vitamins and herbal products. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease or pyloric stenosis (a condition in which the stomach empties slowly). tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking balsalazide, call your doctor. What should I do if I forget a dose?   Return to top Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. What side effects can this medication cause?  Side effects from balsalazide can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: headache abdominal pain upset stomach diarrhea vomiting joint pain difficulty falling or staying asleep tiredness gas runny nose muscle or back pain coughing loss of appetite urinary tract infection constipation dry mouth If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: yellowing of the skin or eyes dark urine bloating or swelling of the stomach increased diarrhea rectal bleeding fever, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088]. What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?   Return to top Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication. In case of emergency/overdose   Return to top In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. What other information should I know?   Return to top Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.