The efficacy of any drug medication can be ascertained through the results of medical research and this medication known as 5-aminosaliclic acid (5-ASA) has also been subjected to the fate of going through a research phase. Researchers have conducted a study to find out its efficacy in treating a specific condition, in this case, ulcerative colitis. The study found that while 5-ASA isn’t far ahead over other treatments its efficacy in treating UC is not doubted.
What is ulcerative colitis?
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a condition that involves the inflammation of your large intestine or colon.
Many symptoms are associated with UC and some of them include fever, weight loss, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, rectal pain, and rectal bleeding.
What is 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA)?
When this drug medication is discussed, the focus is also zooms in on a substance called sulfasalazine (SASP) which has been used for many years (decades) for the treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Sulfasalazine is actually made up of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) but is attached to a molecule.
It’s medially known that about one third of patients treated with SASP have usually reported getting side effects, which medical experts say they may be related to the sulfur side of the molecule.
Some of these side effects that are associated with the 5-ASA medication can include abdominal pain, nausea, headache, indigestion, and vomiting.
Ingested by way of mouth, the 5-ASA drug medications were originally produced to circumvent the SASP related side effects when the 5-ASA drug medication was used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, or UC.
Study Results in Proving Efficacy of 5-ASA
Efficacy
Efficacy is usually established when a drug medication has the ability to lessen the severity of the condition being treated, which, in this case is ulcerative colitis (UC).
It was mentioned earlier that this condition involved an inflammation of the large intestine or colon and in this study, researchers were trying to prove whether oral 5-ASA was better than fake medication (placebo) or another formulated dose of 5-ASA.
The actual study which involved 9612 participants, found that oral 5-ASA was more effective than placebo.
However, it was also found that while oral 5-ASA was found effective in treating ulcerative colitis, it wasn’t more effective than a treatment with SASP.
Side Effects
The study found that participants who took 5-ASA were less likely to get side effects than those who took SASP.
For the 5-ASA medication, side effects were noted to be mild in their intensity with the more common being digestive tract symptoms such as worsening UC, flatulence, headache, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain.
Other results
Compounds of 5-ASA prove to be more expensive than SASP, so where cost considerations are more important, it would seem better to opt for the SASP medication than the 5-ASA medication.
However, despite the fact that the 5-ASA medication is given only once daily, it is just as effective as the same 5-ASA dose that’s given two or three times daily.
In addition, there doesn’t seem to be any difference in effectiveness or safety within the ranks of the various 5-ASA formulations.
Uses for 5-ASA
As mentioned earlier, this drug medication is taken for the treatment of a certain type of bowel disease called ulcerative colitis.
It’s main function is that of treating the symptoms of UC such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding and can be taken under different names such as Mesalamine.
Mesalamine is family to a class of drugs known as aminosalicylates or similar to 5-ASA medication and its main work is that of reducing the swelling of the colon or large intestine.
This medication can also be prescribed by your healthcare expert and can be taken for the treatment of Crohn’s disease.
How to use mesalamine properly
This medication should be taken by mouth as instructed by your doctor, normally 4 times daily.
If you are in fact taking this capsule medication, you can do so with or without food, but if you are taking the tablet form of this drug medication, you should take it with your meals.
The capsule or tablet should be taken whole so you shouldn’t crush, break or chew them. If you do these things to your medication it will prevent its proper release into the colon.
You may sometimes have problems in swallowing the medication, in which case, you may open the capsule and spread the contents over your apple sauce or yogurt before taking it.
Don’t chew the prepared mixture of yogurt/apple sauce and medication, but simply swallow it whole. You should take it immediately after you’ve mixed the portion.
You shouldn’t prepare your mixture so that you can consume it later.
The prescribed dose that has been prepared for you is based on your medical condition and how you will respond to the medication.
The medication tends to remain effective if your take it regularly and get the best benefit from it so to help you remember you should take it at about the same time every day.
Don’t forget that you should tell your doctor if your condition fails to improve or if it becomes worse.
Precautions Prior to Taking mesalamine
Allergies
Before you actually start taking mesalamine, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication or to:
- other aminosalicylates, such as olsalazine or balsalazide; or
- salicylates such as aspirin, salsalate; or
- sulfasalazine; or
- any other allergies you may have
This medication may also have inactive ingredients, in which case, allergic reactions may result or other issues may arise.
Whatever you do, you should make it a point to discuss your problems with your doctor or pharmacist if you need more information about this medication.
Medical history
Knowledge of your medical history by your doctor or pharmacist is a very important prerequisite before taking this medication especially your history involving:
- skin issues such as eczema or atopic dermatitis
- kidney disorder
- stomach blockage such as pyloric stenosis
- liver disease
Surgery
If you are having surgery, it’s always prudent to inform your doctor or dentist about all the other medical products you’ve been taking or are now using.
These may include the following:
- other prescription medications
- non-prescription medications and
- herbal remedies
Teenagers and Children
It’s medically known that this medication is similar to aspirin and as such, mesalamine shouldn’t be taken by teenagers or young children as they would in effect be taking aspirin, together with any other aspirin associated medications such as salicylates.
This is particularly relevant if these young people have chickenpox, any undiagnosed illness, flu, or if they’ve just received an inoculation.
The reason is that in these cases, taking aspirin can give rise to a rare but very serious illness called Rye’s syndrome.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Normally, this drug medication should be taken only when its need is clearly warranted, so before taking it, you should talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking the medication.
It’s medically known that this drug medication does pass into the mother’s breast milk which could have a detrimental effect on a breastfed infant.
You should talk to your doctor before you start breastfeeding your infant.
Drug Interaction
Another needed precaution is to avoid interactions between this medication and another medication that may be taken in combination in order to enhance effectiveness through a stronger dose.
It’s medically known that interactions can actually change how your medications work thereby increasing the risk for more side effects.
Conclusion
The efficacy of 5-ASA drug medication even when used under the guise of another similar medication such as mesalamine is not to be doubted. There are certainly no claims that the medication can cause dire consequences when used or taken for the treatment of inflammation to your large intestine or colon. Its efficacy is also attested by the very few and mild nature of side effects it causes. Learn more by navigating this site. If you are looking for an online pharmacy to purchase Medications, you should give this one a try, as we have had positive experiences making purchases here.
