Indications
Delzicol is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis. Mesalamine, the active ingredient in Delzicol, belongs to a class of medications known as aminosalicylates. It works by reducing inflammation in the colon and rectum, which helps to alleviate the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Mesalamine is thought to work by inhibiting the production of inflammatory chemicals in the colon and rectum, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which play a role in the inflammation associated with IBD. By reducing inflammation, mesalamine can help to improve the symptoms of these conditions, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding.
Uses and Dosage
Delzicol is a medication that comes in the form of DR (delayed release) capsules to be taken orally, with or without food, as directed by your doctor, usually three times a day. Swallow the capsules whole, without crushing, chewing, or breaking them, to ensure the drug is released properly into the colon. Drink plenty of fluids during treatment, unless otherwise directed by your doctor, to help prevent kidney stones.
The dosage of Delzicol is based on the patient's medical condition and response to treatment and may vary among assorted brands of the medication. Patients should not switch brands without their doctor's permission and directions. To get the most benefit from Delzicol, it should be taken regularly at the same times each day.
The recommended dosage of Delzicol for adults is 800 mg (two 400 mg capsules) to be taken orally three times daily, for a total daily dosage of 2.4 grams. The duration of treatment is usually six weeks, as per the search results. It is usually prescribed to be taken several times a day, with a maximum dose of 4.8 grams per day for adults.
Side Effect
Common Side Effects of Delzicol (Mesalamine):
- Abnormal liver function tests
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Rash
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
Serious Side Effects of Delzicol (Mesalamine):
- Bloody diarrhea
- Bloody or tarry stools
- Clay-colored stools
- Coughing up blood
- Dark urine
- Difficulty breathing
- Easy bruising
- Fever
- Hives
- Little or no urination
- Loss of appetite
- Painful or difficult urination
- Severe stomach pain
- Shortness of breath
- Skin rash
- Stomach cramping
- Swelling in your feet or ankles
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Tiredness
- Unusual bleeding
- Upper stomach pain
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Form and Strength
Delzicol (Mesalamine) is available in the following forms and strength:
Delzicol: DR Capsule
- 400 mg
Caution
- Drink plenty of fluids when using mesalamine to decrease your chance of getting kidney stones. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms: severe pain in your side or your back or blood in your urine.
- Mesalamine can make your skin sensitive to the sun if you have skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and atopic eczema. Try to limit your time in the sun. You should use sunscreen and wear hats and clothes that cover your skin if you must be in the sunlight.
- Some people who use Mesalamine can have allergic-type reactions, including acute intolerance syndrome. Other allergic reactions can cause heart problems, including an inflammation of the sac around the heart (pericarditis), blood problems, and problems with other organs in the body, such as the kidneys, liver, and lungs. Stop using Mesalamine and tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms:
- Stop using mesalamine and tell your doctor right away if you develop any of the following signs or symptoms of a severe skin reaction, including blisters or peeling of your skin, mouth sores, blisters on your lips or around your mouth or eyes, high fever, or flu-like symptoms, enlarged lymph nodes, or skin rash.
- This can happen in people who have a history of liver problems and have taken other medicines that contain mesalamine. Tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms while using Delzicol: yellowing of your eyes, itchy skin, feeling very tired, flu-like symptoms, nausea, or vomiting.
- Your doctor may check to see how your kidneys are working before taking Delzicol.
- Renal impairment, including minimal change disease, acute and chronic interstitial nephritis, and renal failure, has been reported with products such as Delzicol that contain or are converted to mesalamine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How can I save on the cost of Delzicol?
There may be ways to save on the cost of Delzicol, such as using a pharmacy discount card, applying for patient assistance programs, or switching to a generic brand. It is recommended to discuss cost-saving options with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Can Delzicol interact with other medications?
Yes, Delzicol may interact with other medications, such as blood thinners and certain antibiotics. It is important to inform your doctor or healthcare provider about all medications you are currently taking to avoid any potential interactions.
Is Delzicol a steroid?
Each Delzicol (mesalamine) delayed-release capsule for oral administration contains 400 mg of mesalamine, an aminosalicylate. Mesalamine is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent.
Can mesalamine be taken with other medications?
Patients should talk to their doctor before taking mesalamine with other medications to avoid potential interactions. Certain medications may interact with mesalamine, including blood thinners, immunosuppressants, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Resources
- https://www.drugs.com/delzicol.html
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-163434-1020/delzicol-oral/mesalamine-5-aminosalicylic-acid-delayed-release-oral/details
- https://www.goodrx.com/delzicol/what-is
- https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=71b02324-9430-4269-825f-8fcac5eeaefb
- https://www.delzicol.com/
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