Colazal (Balsalazide)

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

COLAZAL can be taken with or without food.

To make swallowing easier, you may open the COLAZAL capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow right away. Do not save the mixture for later use. The yellow-orange medicine from the capsule may stain your teeth or tongue when you use this method.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using COLAZAL.

COLAZAL is usually taken only for a short time (8 to 12 weeks). Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

COLAZAL can be taken with or without food.

To make swallowing easier, you may open the COLAZAL capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow right away. Do not save the mixture for later use. The yellow-orange medicine from the capsule may stain your teeth or tongue when you use this method.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using COLAZAL.

COLAZAL is usually taken only for a short time (8 to 12 weeks). Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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

Call your doctor at once if you have:

•worsening colitis symptoms--fever, stomach pain, cramps, or bloody diarrhea;

•kidney problems--little or no urinating, swelling, rapid weight gain;

•liver problems--upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

•pain or burning when you urinate; or

•anemia (low red blood cells)--pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid heart rate, trouble concentrating.

Common side effects may include:

•headache;

•mild or occasional nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;

•joint pain; or

•cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to COLAZAL or mesalamine, or to aspirin or other salicylates (such as Nuprin Backache Caplet, Kaopectate, KneeRelief, Pamprin Cramp Formula, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others).

To make sure COLAZAL is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

•kidney disease;

•liver disease;

•a stomach condition called pyloric stenosis.

COLAZAL tablets contain sodium. Talk to your doctor before using this form of COLAZAL if you are on a low salt diet.

FDA pregnancy category B. COLAZAL is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether COLAZAL passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

COLAZAL capsules should not be given to a child younger than 5 years old. COLAZAL tablets should not be given to anyone under 18 years old.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

Other drugs may interact with COLAZAL, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.