Mezavant XL Tablets

When and how do I take it?

• Mezavant XL should be taken with food at the same time each day.
• The tablets should be swallowed whole and must not be crushed or chewed.

What’s the dose?

• The usual daily dose for adults is 2.4g to 4.8g (two to four tablets) taken once a day for an acute episode of ulcerative colitis.
• If you are taking the highest daily dose of 4.8g/day, you should be evaluated after 8 weeks treatment.
• Once your symptoms have cleared and to help prevent reoccurrence of another episode, your doctor should direct you to take 2.4g (two tablets) once a day.

Could it interact with other tablets?

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription, that contain:

• Mesalazine or sulphasalazine (taken for treatment of ulcerative colitis)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example medicines containing aspirin, ibuprofen or diclofenac)
• Azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine (known as 'immunosuppressant' medicines).

Herbal products should also only be taken after talking with your doctor.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

Like all medicines, Mezavant XL can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Common side effects, occurring in less than 3 in 100 patients (<3%), are:

• headache
• flatulence (passing wind)
• nausea (feeling sick)

Uncommon side effects, seen in less than 1 in 100 patients (<1%) are:

• a reduced number of platelets (a blood clotting cell)
• dizziness
• feeling sleepy or tired
• trembling or shaking
• ear pain
• racing heartbeat
• changes in blood pressure
• throat pain
• bloated or painful stomach
• colitis
• diarrhoea
• indigestion
• an inflamed pancreas or colon (associated with pain in upper abdomen and back and feeling sick)
• rectal polyp (a non-cancerous growth in the back passage causing symptoms such as constipation and bleeding)
• being sick
• abnormal liver function test
• acne
• hair loss
• itchy skin with or without a rash
• hives
• joint aches or pains
• back pain
• weakness
• swollen face
• fatigue (feeling extremely tired)
• fever (high temperature)

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

• There are no known interactions between alcohol and Mezavant XL
• Always ask you doctor or pharmacist however as other medications you are taking may have a bearing on this.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

Since mesalazine crosses the placenta in pregnancy and is excreted in breast milk in small quantities, due care should be taken if using Mezavant XL in pregnancy or whilst breast-feeding.

If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are breast-feeding you should ask your doctor for advice about taking Mezavant XL.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

http://patient.info/medicine/mesalazine-asacol-ipocol-mezavant-octasa-pentasa-salofalk

http://www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/PIL%20-%20IMEDandCast-2141452-13022014151958-635279016013388750.pdf

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/digestive-health/a6926/mezavant-xl-mesalazine/

http://www.drugs.com/uk/mezavant-xl-1200mg-gastro-resistant-prolonged-release-tablets-spc-8094.html

http://www.ulcerativecolitis.org.uk/colitisforum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=7138