Dipentum
® (
olsalazine sodium) is a prescription medication that is used to treat
ulcerative colitis. It is approved for use in people whose ulcerative colitis is in remission, and who cannot take
sulfasalazine (
Azulfidine®,
Azulfidine EN-tabs®) due to side effects or other concerns. The medicine is used to prevent ulcerative colitis symptoms from returning in these people.
Dipentum is manufactured by UCB Pharma, Inc.
Dipentum belongs to a group of medications called aminosalicylates. The medication is believed to work by inhibiting the production of inflammatory chemicals in the lining of the
colon. As a result, it decreases the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, chemicals that lead to the inflammation caused by ulcerative colitis.
The Dipentum molecule itself is inactive. However, when it reaches the colon, bacteria enzymes split the molecule, releasing the active forms of the medication.
Dipentum has been studied in people whose ulcerative colitis is in remission (which is the time between flare-ups, when symptoms subside). After six months, just 23 percent of those taking the drug had relapsed (their symptoms had returned), compared to about 45 percent of those not taking it.
HealthSavvy Sign In
|
