Nonspecific ulcerative colitis, as well as Crohn's disease, are observed in patients quite rarely. But, despite this, there are many drugs that are designed to treat these diseases. One of them is Mesacol. Instructions for use, form, reviews and the cost of this tool will be presented later.
Composition, release form, packaging and description
The drug "Mesacol", reviews of which are very mixed, goes on sale in the form of red-brown tablets. They are coated with an enteric coating, and also have a round and biconvex shape.
The main substance of this tool is mesalazine (5-ASA). In addition to this, the composition of the drug includes such additional components as corn starch, calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, purified talc, microcrystalline cellulose, titanium oxide, hypromellose 2208, colloidal silicon oxide, povidone K90, sodium carboxymethyl starch, methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate, iron oxide copolymer, macrogol 6000 and dibutyl phthalate.
Mesacol tablets are available in aluminum strips and packs of cardboard, respectively.
Pharmacology
Do you know what “Mesacol" is? Instructions for use indicate that it is an anti-inflammatory drug, the action of which is localized in the intestine. This property of the drug is associated with its ability to inhibit the activity of the synthesis of leukotrienes and prostaglandins, as well as neutrophilic lipoxygenase.
It should be noted that the drug in question slows down the migration, phagocytosis and degranulation of neutrophils, as well as the secretion of immunoglobulins through lymphocytes.
What other properties does the medicine “Mesacol” possess, the price of which is indicated below? Mesalazine has an antimicrobial effect against certain cocci and Escherichia coli (in the large intestine).
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
What kinetic parameters are inherent in Mesacol tablets? The instruction for use states that after their administration, mesalazine is released from the shell after about 115-165 minutes, and after 170-230 minutes, the tablets dissolve.
Thanks to the film membrane, the drug in question is released 60-80% in the large intestine, and 15-30% in the small intestine. In this case, the active substance enters the systemic circulation only in the amount of 10% of the dose taken. The plasma concentration of mesalazine is very low.
The relationship of the active ingredient with plasma proteins is 43%. The drug in question, as well as its metabolites, pass into breast milk.
Mesalazine metabolism occurs in the intestines and liver. In this case, N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid is formed.
The half-life of the drug is 60-120 minutes (depending on the dose taken). The drug is excreted by the kidneys and through the intestines.
Indications for taking the medicine
What diseases does the drug “Mesacol” treat? Reviews of doctors report that this tool is quite effective in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
It should be especially noted that the medication in question is used not only for the treatment of the above diseases, but also for the prevention of their exacerbations.
Contraindications
It is not recommended to prescribe the medication "Mesacol":
- with peptic ulcer of the digestive system;
- blood diseases;
- severe renal failure;
- hemorrhagic diathesis;
- in childhood;
- severe liver failure;
- hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the drug;
- lack of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
With extreme caution, this drug is used for mild to moderate severity of renal failure, as well as for moderate to mild liver failure.
Mesacol tablets: instructions for use
The drug in question is taken orally only after a meal.
With an exacerbation of diseases, it is prescribed in an amount of 400-800 mg (that is, 1-2 tablets) three times a day. Therapy is carried out for 9-12 weeks.
To prevent exacerbations, the drug is used 400 mg three times a day. Tablets are taken in their entirety, washed down with plain water.
How should I give the medicine "Mesacolum" to children? Candles, microclysters and suspension - it is in this form that this medication is shown to babies.
Adverse reactions
Unfortunately, taking the medication in question quite often causes side effects. These include the following:
- pericarditis, tachycardia, cardiac conduction disorders, arterial hypertension, pain behind the sternum, arterial hypotension, palpitations, shortness of breath;
- nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, increased activity of liver transaminases, heartburn, stomatitis, diarrhea, hepatitis, abdominal pain, pancreatitis, dry mouth;
- oliguria, proteinuria, crystalluria, hematuria, nephrotic syndrome, anuria;
- dizziness, headache, hallucinations, tinnitus, insomnia, polyneuropathy, cramps, tremors, depression;
- eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, anemia (hemolytic, aplastic or megaloblastic), agranulocytosis, anemia, hypoprothrombinemia;
- oligospermia, impotence;
- weakness, photosensitivity, mumps, decreased production of tear fluid, lupus-like syndrome, alopecia;
- skin rash, dermatosis, pruritus, bronchospasm, erythema.
Overdose Signs
Symptoms of an overdose of the drug under consideration are such conditions as nausea, gastralgia, vomiting, drowsiness, and weakness. To eliminate them, gastric lavage, laxatives are prescribed and symptomatic therapy is performed.
Compatibility with other means
The drug "Mesacol" weakens the effects of "Spironolactone", "Furosemide", "Rifampicin" and sulfonamides. It also enhances the hypoglycemic effects of sulfonylureas, toxicity of methotrexate and ulcerogenicity of corticosteroids.
It should be noted that this medication slows down the absorption of cyanocobalamin, and also increases the effect of uricosuric agents (i.e., tubular secretion blockers) and enhances the effect of anticoagulants.
Special recommendations
- Diarrhea that occurs during treatment with Mesacol does not always appear as a side effect of the medication. This condition may be a sign of the underlying disease.
- While taking this remedy, a general blood and urine test should be performed regularly.
- If the dose of the drug was missed, then the next should be taken at any other time.
- During treatment with this medication, the patient’s urine and tear fluid may become yellow-orange.
The drug "Mesacol": analogues and cost
Replace the mentioned medicine with such means as Salazopyridazine, 5-ASA, Tidokol, Asakol, Samezil, Salofalk, Mesalazin, Salozinal, Pentasa.
How much are Mesacol tablets? The price of this medicine is 600-680 rubles (for 50 tablets).
Consumer Reviews
Patients leave mixed reviews about the drug Mesacol. Some of them report that this medication effectively treats intestinal diseases. Others argue that the tablets mentioned are completely useless. Thus, we can safely conclude that Mesacol has different effects on different patients.
The main disadvantage of this medication is the presence of a large number of contraindications and adverse reactions.