olsalazine (Dipentum)

Brand Names: Dipentum

Generic Name: olsalazine

• What is olsalazine (Dipentum)?
• What are the possible side effects of olsalazine (Dipentum)?
• What is the most important information I should know about olsalazine (Dipentum)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking olsalazine (Dipentum)?
• How should I take olsalazine (Dipentum)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Dipentum)?
• What happens if I overdose (Dipentum)?
• What should I avoid while taking olsalazine (Dipentum)?
• What other drugs will affect olsalazine (Dipentum)?
• Where can I get more information (Dipentum)?

Olsalazine affects substances in the body that cause inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea.

Olsalazine is used to treat ulcerative colitis.

Olsalazine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

• worsening colitis (fever, stomach pain, cramping, or bloody diarrhea);
• chest pain, shortness of breath, fast or pounding heartbeats; or
• nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild stomach discomfort;
• nausea, heartburn;
• skin rash, itching;
• headache;
• muscle or joint pain; or
• urinating more often than usual.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to olsalazine or to salicylates such as aspirin, Novasal, Doan's Extra Strength, Salflex, Tricosal, and others.

Before taking olsalazine, tell your doctor if you have asthma or other allergies, kidney disease, or liver disease.

Call your doctor at once if your colitis symptoms get worse, or if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, fast or pounding heartbeats, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to olsalazine or to salicylates such as aspirin, Novasal, Doan's Extra Strength, Salflex, Tricosal, and others.

Before taking olsalazine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• asthma or other allergies;
• kidney disease; or
• liver disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take olsalazine.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Olsalazine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take olsalazine with a full glass of water.

Store olsalazine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using olsalazine.

Avoid getting a varicella (chickenpox) vaccine within 6 weeks after you stop taking olsalazine.

The following drugs can interact with olsalazine. Tell your doctor if you are using any of these:

• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• thioguanine; or
• mercaptopurine (Purinethol).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with olsalazine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about olsalazine.

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