Pentasa

What is Pentasa?

Pentasa is a prescription medicine used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and certain forms of Crohn’s disease.

It contains the active ingredient mesalazine, an anti-inflammatory medicine that works directly in your intestine. Unlike general painkillers, Pentasa targets inflammation inside the bowel lining.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a long-term condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks the digestive tract. This causes swelling, irritation, and ulcers (small sores) inside the bowel.

Pentasa helps reduce this inflammation and can both:

• Treat active flare-ups
• Help keep the disease under control (maintenance therapy)

Pentasa is available in different forms, including prolonged-release tablets, granules, and suppositories, depending on which part of your bowel needs treatment.

What is it used for?

Pentasa is used to treat:

• Ulcerative colitis
• Mild to moderate Crohn’s disease affecting the colon

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis affects the large intestine (colon) and rectum. It causes inflammation and ulcers in the bowel lining. Symptoms may include:

• Diarrhoea, often with blood or mucus
• Abdominal pain
• Urgency to pass stool
• Fatigue

Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract but sometimes involves the colon. It causes inflammation that can extend deeper into the bowel wall.

Pentasa is mainly effective when inflammation is located in the colon or lower part of the small intestine.

Pentasa can be used:

• During flare-ups to reduce symptoms
• Long-term to reduce the risk of relapse

How does the product work?

Pentasa contains mesalazine, which works directly on the lining of your intestine.

In inflammatory bowel disease, your immune system triggers ongoing inflammation in the gut. This leads to swelling, tissue damage and symptoms such as bleeding and diarrhoea.

Mesalazine works by:

• Reducing inflammation in the bowel lining
• Blocking substances that cause inflammatory reactions
• Helping the bowel lining heal

Pentasa is designed as a prolonged-release formulation, meaning it slowly releases the medicine throughout the intestine. This allows it to work exactly where inflammation is present.

Because it acts locally in the bowel, it generally has fewer whole-body side effects compared to systemic anti-inflammatory drugs.

Who should not use the product?

You should not use Pentasa if:

• You are allergic to mesalazine or salicylates (such as aspirin)
• You have severe kidney impairment
• You have severe liver impairment
• You have a history of serious reactions to mesalazine

Pentasa may not be suitable if you have mild to moderate kidney or liver problems. Regular monitoring may be required.

Always inform your doctor about your full medical history before starting treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pentasa is sometimes used during pregnancy if clearly needed, as uncontrolled inflammatory bowel disease can also pose risks. However, you should always consult your doctor before using Pentasa if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.

Small amounts of mesalazine may pass into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

How to use and dosage

Always use Pentasa exactly as prescribed.

The dosage depends on:

• Whether you are treating a flare-up or maintaining remission
• The severity of your condition
• The specific formulation prescribed

Pentasa tablets or granules are usually taken:

• Once or several times daily
• With water
• Swallowed whole (do not crush prolonged-release tablets unless advised)

If using suppositories or rectal formulations, these are inserted into the rectum as directed.

For best results, take Pentasa regularly, even if you start to feel better. Stopping treatment early may increase the risk of relapse.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Pentasa can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them.

Common side effects include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhoea
• Rash

Less common but more serious side effects may include:

• Kidney problems
• Liver problems
• Severe allergic reactions
• Blood disorders

Rarely, Pentasa may cause worsening abdominal pain or severe intolerance reactions. If symptoms worsen suddenly after starting treatment, contact a doctor.

Regular blood and urine tests may be recommended to monitor kidney and liver function during long-term treatment.

Important safety information

Before starting Pentasa, tell your doctor if you:

• Have kidney problems
• Have liver disease
• Have lung disease (such as asthma)
• Have previously reacted to sulfasalazine
• Are taking other anti-inflammatory medicines

Pentasa works best as part of a long-term treatment plan. Even if symptoms improve, maintenance therapy may be needed to prevent future flare-ups.

Do not stop treatment without medical advice, as this may increase your risk of relapse.

When to seek medical help

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience:

• Severe abdominal pain
• High fever
• Yellowing of skin or eyes
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding
• Severe rash or allergic reaction
• Reduced urine output

Contact your doctor if:

• Your symptoms worsen
• You notice blood in your stool increasing
• You develop persistent side effects
• You suspect a flare-up

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are related to inflammatory bowel disease or your medication, you can book a secure video consultation with a licensed doctor via Transtoyou for personalised advice. If symptoms are severe or sudden, seek urgent medical care immediately.