Dipentum belongs to a class of drugs known as aminosalicylates. It is used treatment of inflammation of large intestine (colon) called as ulcerative colitis. It is used for short-term (acute) attacks called flare-ups and at a lower dose to maintain the improvement (maintenance treatment) and keep away further flare-ups. It works by reducing pain and swelling in the intestine and reduces the actions of substances in the body that cause inflammation. Before you start taking Dipentum your doctor will do a blood test. This will be repeated every three months for the first year, every six months for the next four years and then once a year. This is to see how well your liver and kidneys are functioning. Always take Dipentum as prescribed by your doctor. Always take Dipentum with a glass of water after food. Your doctor will choose the dose that is right for you. Your dose will be shown clearly on the label that your pharmacist puts on your medicine. If it does not, or you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Manufacturer Information
Dipentum comes from Canada and New Zealand. We may sometimes carry the brand Dipentum from United Kingdom manufactured by UCB Pharma. The active ingredient in Dipentum is olsalazine. The generic equivalent of Dipentum is not available. Dipentum is available as capsules in the dosage form of 250 mg.
Stop taking Dipentum and call your doctor at once if you have one of these serious side effects:
• Blood disorders (reduced number of red blood cells)
• Bruising, bleeding easily
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Liver disease leading to loss of appetite, itching, feeling unwell, and yellow eyes
• Mouth ulcers, feeling tired, fever, inflammation of pancreas
• Persistent sore throat
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat
Less serious side effects include headache, diarrhea (taking your medicine at the end of a meal helps to reduce diarrhea) feeling sick, rash, joint pain, indigestion, raised liver enzymes, hair loss, light sensitivity, muscle pain, dizziness and depression. Please call your doctor if you have any further concerns or questions.
Do not use Dipentum if you are allergic to olsalazine or any ingredients in the medication, ever had an allergic reaction to salicylates (aspirin and aspirin containing products), have a severe kidney disease, are a child under the age of 12 years. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop unexplained bruising or bleeding accompanied with fever, dizziness, sore throat and mouth ulcers. You could have developed a blood disorder. If you experience dizziness and/or blurred vision whilst taking Dipentum do not drive or use machinery. Dipentum can interact with medications such as aspirin or any other aspirin-containing medicines or salicylates, other drugs to treat ulcerative colitis, blood thinning agents such as warfarin or heparin or heparinoids, drugs that treat irritable bowel syndrome and cancer such as thioguanine and 6 mercaptopurine. If you have recently had chickenpox vaccination (taking Dipentum may cause a greater risk of Reye's syndrome; a life-threatening condition). Before taking Dipentum, inform your doctor if you have severe allergies or asthma, liver or kidney disease, are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.