1. Irritable Bowel Disease Slideshow
2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
3. Take the Tummy Trouble Quiz

This class of drugs includes mesalamine (Asacol, Pentasa, Rowasa), olsalazine (Dipentum), and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, EN-Tabs). Mesalamine and olsalazine are newer agents and are generally better tolerated than sulfasalazine. The newer aspirin-like anti-inflammatory agents are unique, because they release the active drug in specific areas of the small or large intestine, thus allowing doctors to choose a drug based on the site of inflammation.

• How aspirin-like anti-inflammatory agents work: These drugs are used in people with mild disease. Like aspirin, aspirinlike anti-inflammatories reduce inflammation and pain by inhibiting a variety of immune reactions in the body.
• Who should not use these medications: Individuals who have peptic ulcer disease, severe renal failure, or allergy to aspirin or aspirinlike products should not take aspirinlike anti-inflammatories. Those with allergy to sulfa drugs should not take sulfasalazine.
• Use: These drugs may be administered orally or by rectal enemas or suppositories.
• Drug or food interactions: Aspirinlike anti-inflammatory agents may increase the risk of bleeding when administered with other drugs that alter blood coagulation, such as heparin.
• Side effects: Aspirinlike anti-inflammatories may be toxic to blood cells and may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and/or constipation.

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