Colazal (Balsalazide) is a prescription medication used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Inflammatory bowel disease is a condition with swelling and sores in the intestine, colon, and rectum lining. The active ingredient in Colazal is Balsalazide. Balsalazide to the class of drugs called 5-Aminosalicylic Acid Derivatives. It is converted in the body to mesalamine and works by reducing bowel inflammation, swellings, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and stomach pain.
Manufacturer Information
We currently offer the brand Colazal from Australia manufactured by Fresenius Medical Care in the strength of 750 mg tablets. In addition, the generic Balsalazide Capsule, also known as Intazide from India manufactured by Intas Pharm in the strength of 750 mg capsule only.
Get medical help immediately if you have any signs of an allergic reaction while taking Colazal. The most common side effects of Colazal may include:
• Abdominal pain;
• Diarrhea;
• Fever;
• Headache;
• Loss of appetite;
• Sore throat;
• Vomiting
Contact your doctor right away if you have any of the serious side effects, including:
• Changes in your breathing pattern;
• Confusion;
• Rectal bleeding;
• Ringing in the ears;
• Severe abdominal pain;
• Severe dizziness or sudden loss of consciousness;
• Seizure or convulsion;
• Worsening of your condition, such as exacerbation of ulcerative colitis
Before taking Balsalazide, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it, other aminosalicylates (such as mesalamine, olsalazine), or salicylates (such as aspirin, salsalate), or to sulfasalazine; or if you have any other allergies. Colazal and its generics Balsalazide come in a capsule, and you should take it with a cup of water. Swallow the capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. It is usually taken three times a day. However, you should follow your doctor’s prescription and dosage. Do not take more or less of it or more often than your doctor prescribes it.
Your doctor may recommend that you take Colazal capsules for 8 weeks, but it may be taken for up to 12 weeks. It would be best to continue to take Balsalazide even if you feel well. If you cannot swallow or give this medication to a child, you may open the capsules and sprinkle the contents over two teaspoonfuls (approximately 10 mL) of applesauce. Inform your doctor if you experience severe side effects from this medication or if your condition worsens.
Before you start taking this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you:
• Have intestinal obstruction such as pyloric stenosis;
• Have kidney problems;
• Have liver problems
Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant. It is unknown if Colazal has any harmful effect on the growing fetus. However, having active ulcerative colitis during pregnancy may cause premature delivery or low birth weight. So, you discuss with your doctor the best treatment option. Inform your doctor before breastfeeding your baby while receiving treatment with the Colazal capsule. You should not give this medication to a child below 5 years. Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There may be a drug interaction between Colazal and other medications, including acetazolamide, azithromycin, temocillin, ticarcillin, erythromycin, and warfarin. It would be best if you stored the Colazal capsules safely, away from extreme light and temperature.
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