Pentasa Uses (Cont.)

How Does Pentasa Work?

Pentasa belongs to a group of medications called aminosalicylates. It is thought that the drug works by inhibiting the production of inflammatory chemicals in the lining of the colon. Pentasa decreases the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, chemicals that lead to the inflammation caused by ulcerative colitis.
 
Pentasa capsules are controlled-release, meaning they dissolve slowly over time. This allows the medication to be released throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
 

Pentasa Uses in Children

Pentasa has not been approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in children. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using the drug in children.
 

Off-Label Pentasa Uses

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Pentasa for treating something other than ulcerative colitis. This is called an "off-label" use. At this time, using Pentasa to treat Crohn's disease is considered an off-label use for the drug.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;