At what dose is Pentasa prescribed? Instructions for use, reviews and the composition of the drug are discussed below. Also in the materials of the article provides information on the forms of release of this medication and its properties.
Composition, form of medication
There are several forms of release of the drug in question. Imagine them right now.
The drug "Pentas" - tablets (500 mg, 100 mg) prolonged action. They have a white color with a grayish tint, as well as with numerous light brown spots, the correct round shape, with a notch, chamfer and inscriptions on both sides.
The active element of this medication is mesalazine. Also inactive ingredients include povidone, ethyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, talc and microcrystalline cellulose.
The drug “Pentasa” (tablets), the photo of which is presented in the article, goes on sale in blisters that are in packs of cardboard.
It should also be noted that the medication in question can be purchased in the form of suppositories, prolonged-action granules and rectal suspension.
Pharmacology of a medicinal product
What is the Pentas medicine? Instructions for use states that this is an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat UC and Crohn’s disease.
The anti-inflammatory properties of this drug appear only with local use. This effect is due to the synthesis of leukotrienes and prostaglandins, as well as the inhibition of lipoxygenase (neutrophilic) activity. In addition, this tool is able to slow down the secretion of immunoglobulins by lymphocytes and inhibit degranulation, migration and phagocytosis of neutrophils.
Features of the intestinal product
The Pentasa medicine (tablets), the composition of which was presented above, exhibits pronounced antibacterial activity against some cocci and Escherichia coli. It also has an antioxidant effect due to the ability of the active substance to bind to free radicals (oxygen) and destroy them.
Proper use of this drug significantly reduces the risk of relapse in Crohn's disease, including in people with ileitis (with a long duration of the disease).
The principle of action of a medical device
How does the Pentas medicine work? The instructions for use claim that the therapeutic effect of this drug appears immediately after local contact of mesalazine with the intestinal mucosa.
After taking the oral drug, the tablet immediately breaks down into microgranules, which act as independent forms and slow-release the active substance, mesalazine. This ensures the effectiveness of the drug from the duodenum to the rectum at any pH.
Pharmacokinetics
How is the absorption of the drug "Pentas"? Instructions for use reports that the microgranules of disintegrated tablets reach the duodenum 12 within the first 60 minutes.
About 30-50% of the dosage taken is absorbed in the small intestine. The connection of mesalazine with plasma proteins is 43%, and N-acetyl-five-aminosalicylic acid is 73-85%.
Mesalazine, as well as its derivatives, do not penetrate the BBB. The cumulative properties of the drug appear only when using high dosages (about 1500 mg per day).
Mesalazine is acetylated in the intestinal and liver mucosa. This substance is excreted in urine, breast milk and feces.
Indications for use of the drug
In what cases the medicine "Pentasa" (tablets) can be shown? Reviews of experts say that this medication works well with:
- ulcerative colitis;
- Crohn's disease.
Drug bans
Under what conditions can not use a tool such as Pentas? The instruction (tablets and other forms of the drug have the same contraindications) indicates the following prohibitions:
- hemorrhagic diathesis;
- blood diseases;
- lactation period;
- gastrointestinal ulcer;
- the last 2-5 weeks of pregnancy;
- lack of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase;
- age up to two years;
- severe renal failure;
- hypersensitivity to the substances of the drug;
- severe liver failure.
With extreme caution, the medication in question should be used in the first trimester of pregnancy, as well as with liver and renal failure.
Medication "Pentas": instructions for use
The choice of the dosage form of this drug depends on the location of the main pathological process, as well as the extent of intestinal damage.
Pentas suppositories and suspension are prescribed for distal forms of the disease (proctosigmoiditis). In this case, candles are used three times a day for 500 mg.
How is the Pentasa oral preparation (tablets) prescribed? The instruction for use states that this type of medication is recommended to be used only for common forms of diseases. To prevent relapse in Crohn’s disease, the medication is used four times a day (1 g of mesalazine). As for the prevention of relapse of UC, in this case, the drug is prescribed three times a day at 500 mg.
With an exacerbation of the disease, the course of therapy should last 8-12 weeks. At the same time, 400-800 mg of the drug (three times a day) should be taken every day.
In severe cases of the disease, an increase in daily dosage to 3-4 g is possible.
Pentas tablets should be taken immediately after a meal without chewing and drinking with plain water.
Side effects
In some cases, the medication in question causes the following side effects:
- stomatitis, tremor of the extremities, dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, depressive mood;
- decreased appetite, sensation of a rapid heartbeat, heartburn, shortness of breath during physical activity, vomiting;
- hematuria, diarrheal syndrome, tachycardia, hepatitis, chest pains;
- increased liver enzymes, fluctuations in blood pressure, pancreatitis, polyneuropathy;
- crystalluria, tinnitus, proteinuria (protein secretion), migraine headaches;
- oliguria, leukopenia, anuria (lack of urination), thrombocytopenia, the formation of nephrotic syndrome ;
- hypoprothrombinemia, agranulocytosis, eosinophilia, anemia.
It should also be noted that while taking this drug, the patient may experience: olisgospermia, alopecia, photosensitivity, weakness in the extremities, lupus-like syndrome, decreased production of tear fluid, and mumps.
Drug overdose
An overdose of the drug in question is manifested by increased drowsiness, nausea, gastralgia, vomiting and weakness throughout the body. To eliminate such symptoms, timely gastric lavage is required, as well as the appointment of laxatives and conduction of syndromic therapy.
Drug Interactions
Pentas medication is able to slow down the rate of cyanocobalamin absorption. Mesalazine also increases the effectiveness of uricosuric agents (including tubular secretion blockers).
It should be noted that this drug increases the ulcerogenicity of glucocorticosteroids, weakens the effects of rifampicin, enhances the toxicity of methotrexate and has a hypoglycemic effect on derivatives of sulfonylureas, spironolactone, sulfonamides and furosemide.
Special information
If you miss one dose of mesalazine, it is recommended that you take it with the next or in the very near future. If several doses were missed, then you should immediately consult a doctor. At the same time, it is forbidden to independently discontinue treatment.
Sometimes, against the background of the use of the drug in question, patients stain urine and contact lenses in a yellowish-orange hue.
In the process of treatment with mesalazine, constant medical supervision of the patient’s renal system is necessary. You should also regularly analyze the urine of the patient and his blood (throughout the course of therapy, as well as after its completion).
The likelihood of adverse reactions while taking this medication increases in those who are "slow acetylator."
With the development of acute intolerance syndrome of the active ingredient, the Pentasa preparation is immediately canceled.
Similar medicines and consumer reviews
Do you know how to replace the medication in question? The attending doctor should inform you about this. As a rule, the following drugs are referred to analogues of this drug: Mesacol, Salosinal, Salofalk, Mesavant, Mesalazine, Asakol.
What do consumers say about this product? According to their reviews, the medication mentioned is a highly effective medicine that can be purchased at any pharmacy. Patients claim that mesalazine works very well not only in therapy, but also in the prevention of Crohn's disease, as well as ulcerative colitis.