Mesalamine Delayed Release Tablets

Meslataj DR 400mg, 800mg, 1.2g

Package leaflet: Information for the patient

Mesalamine DR 400mg, 800mg, 1.2g Delayed Release Tablets

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.

- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Mesalataj DR is and what it is used for

2. What you need to know before you take Mesalataj DR

3. How to take Mesalataj DR

4. Possible side effects

5. How to store Mesalataj DR

6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What mesalataj dr is and what it is used for

Mesalataj DR tablets contain the active substance mesalazine (also known as 5- aminosalicylic acid) which is an anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of:

• Ulcerative colitis - a disease of the large bowel (colon) and back passage (rectum) in which the lining of the bowel becomes inflamed (red and swollen). Symptoms can include rectal bleeding, frequent diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Mesalataj DR tablets act locally in the colon to reduce inflammation and can also prevent further episodes (flares) of ulcerative colitis.

• Crohn’s ileo-colitis –a disease affecting the small bowel (terminal ileum) and colon in which the lining of the bowel becomes swollen and sore. This may lead to the development of ulcers, abscesses and narrowing (strictures) in the bowel. Mesalataj DR tablets act locally in the terminal ileum and colon to control the disease and prevent further flares of Crohn’s ileocolitis.

2. What you need to know before you take mesalataj DR

Do not take Mesalataj DR tablets if you:

• are allergic (hypersensitive) to any of the ingredients in the product (see Section 6 on ‘What Mesalataj DR tablets contain’)

• are allergic to aspirin or any other salicylate

• have had kidney problems or blood abnormalities while taking other medicines such as sulphasalazine

• have severe kidney impairment.

DO NOT give the tablets to children under 2 years of age.

Take special care with Mesalataj DR tablets

• Asacol should be used with extreme caution in patients with confirmed mild to moderate kidney impairment.

• Asacol should be used with caution in the elderly.

Taking other medicines

Please tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including those obtained without a prescription. Mesalataj DR tablets should NOT be taken with Lactulose (a medicine for constipation).

Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, aspirin, Cox-II inhibitors) and azathioprine in particular may increase the risk of kidney reactions.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not take Mesalataj DR tablets unless advised otherwise by their doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Tests on your liver, kidney and blood

Before you start treatment with Asacol 400mg tablets you will have a blood and urine test to check how well your kidneys are working and what your blood is doing. During treatment your doctor will check how well your liver, kidney and blood is working by taking blood and urine sample periodically during your treatment.

Driving and using machines

Mesalataj DR tablets are not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Mesalataj DR tablets

Lactose - if you know you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

3. How to take mesalataj DR

Always take Mesalataj DR tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor if you are not sure.

The tablets should be swallowed whole with water; do not break, crush or chew them.

Whilst taking this medicine ensure you drink adequate fluids to remain well hydrated, especially after severe or prolonged episodes of vomiting and /or diarrhoea, high fever or heavy sweating. This is to avoid problems with your kidneys.

The usual dose is:

• Treating ulcerative colitis - 6 tablets each day divided throughout the day. For example:

- 2 tablets 3 times a day OR

- 3 tablets twice a day.

• Preventing further episodes of ulcerative colitis

- between 3 and 6 tablets once daily or divided throughout the day. For example:

- a daily dosage of 3 tablets may be taken as 3 tablets once a day or 1 tablet 3 times a day

- a daily dosage of 6 tablets may be taken as 6 tablets once a day or 3 tablets twice a day.

• Preventing further episodes of Crohn’s ileo-colitis

– between 3 and 6 tablets divided throughout the day. For example

- a daily dosage of 3 tablets may be taken as 1 tablet 3 times a day

- a daily dosage of 6 tablets may be taken as 3 tablets twice a day.

DO NOT take more than 6 tablets a day.

Mesalataj DR tablets are not recommended for use in children.

If you stop taking Mesalataj DR tablets

Keep taking the tablets for as long as your doctor tells you. Your symptoms may come back if you stop treatment too early. Remember to get a repeat prescription at the right time so that you do not miss a day of treatment.

If you take more Mesalataj DR tablets than you should

Do not exceed the recommended dose. You should only take as many tablets as your doctor has instructed on the pharmacist’s label. If you take too much medicine, tell your doctor immediately or go to your nearest Accident & Emergency Department. Take the tablet pack with you if possible.

If you forget to take Mesalataj DR tablets

If you forget to take a dose at the required time, take it as soon as you remember and continue taking your tablets as before. DO NOT take more than two doses in one hour. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and carry on as before.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Mesalataj DR tablets can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Allergic reactions can occur. Tell your doctor if you get:

• a rash with or without itching, any shortness of breath, palpitations (rapid heart beat) or chest pain. These effects will usually disappear when you stop taking the medicine.

Tell your doctor immediately

if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• fever, sore throat, mouth or lip ulcers, spots underneath your skin anywhere on your body, including the genital and anal regions, become very pale, swollen ankles or have unusual bleeding (e.g. unexpected nosebleeds or bleeding gums)

• skin rash with flaking, boils or sore lips or mouth

• bruising more easily or suspect blood abnormalities

• problems with kidney function

Common side effects (in more than 1 in 100 people but less than 1 in 10 people):

• diarrhoea

• abdominal pain

• nausea (feeling sick)

• headache.

Rare side effects (in less than 1 in 1000 people):

• problems with heart, lung, liver or kidney function

• inflammation of the pancreas

• blood abnormalities

• numbness and tingling of the fingers and toes due to damaged nerves

• hair loss

• fever

• skin rash.

Very rare side effects (in less than 1 in 10,000 people):

• worsening of symptoms of colitis

• Erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson syndrome (skin and mucous membrane disease).

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store mesalataj DR

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Store Mesalataj DR tablets in their original pack below 25°C (77°F) in a dry place, protected from direct sunlight.

Do not remove the moisture absorbing pouch from the bottle. The pouch is not part of your medicine and is marked DO NOT EAT. Keep the bottle tightly closed.

Do not use Mesalataj DR tablets after the expiry date which is stated on the pack after ‘Exp’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and further information

What Mesalataj DR contain

The active substance is mesalazine (also known as 5-aminosalicylic acid). Each tablet contains 400mg mesalazine.

The other ingredients are

Core: lactose monohydrate, sodium starch glycollate, magnesium stearate, talc, povidone.

Coating: methacrylic acid-methyl methacrylate copolymer (1:2), dibutyl sebacate, ferric oxide yellow (E172), ferric oxide red (E172) and macrogol 6000.

See also Section 2 on ‘Important information about some of the ingredients of Mesalataj DR tablets’.

What Mesalataj DR look like and contents of the pack

Mesalataj DR tablets are red-brown, coated and oblong shaped. They are packed in a plastic bottle with a child-resistant closure that contains a cotton/silica gel moisture absorbing pouch. Mesalataj DR tablets are available in packs of 84, 90, 120 or 168 tablets (not all pack sizes may be marketed).

TAJ PHARMACEUTICALS LTD.

Mumbai, India

at SURVEY NO. 188/1, 190/1TO 4, ATHIYAWAD ,

DABHEL, DAMAN- 396210 (INDIA)

Mfg. Lic. No: DD/xxxxxxx/2018-A

This leaflet was last revised in Nov 2018

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