Apriso

Generic Name: mesalamine (oral) (me SAL a meen)
Brand Names: Apriso, Asacol, Lialda, Pentasa

What is Apriso?

Apriso (mesalamine) affects a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea.

Apriso is used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis. It is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.

Apriso may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Apriso

You should not use Apriso if you are allergic to mesalamine or to aspirin or other salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others).

Before you take Apriso, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, a stomach condition called pyloric stenosis, a heart condition such as congestive heart failure, or a history of allergy to sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).

Do not crush, break, or chew a Apriso capsule. Swallow the capsule whole. It is specially formulated to release the medicine after it has passed through your stomach into your intestines.

Stop using Apriso and call your doctor at once if you have severe stomach pain, cramping, fever, headache, and bloody diarrhea.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Apriso?

You should not use Apriso if you are allergic to mesalamine or to aspirin or other salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others).

To make sure you can safely take Apriso, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• a stomach condition called pyloric stenosis;

• a history of allergy to sulfasalazine (Azulfidine);

• a heart condition such as congestive heart failure;

• kidney disease; or

• liver disease.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Apriso will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Mesalamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Apriso without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Apriso pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Apriso?

Take Apriso exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take Apriso with a full glass of water.

Apriso can usually be taken with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions.

The extended-release capsule is specially formulated to release the medicine after it has passed through your stomach into your intestines. Breaking the capsule may cause the drug to be released too early in the digestive tract.

Store Apriso at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Apriso dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include ringing in your ears, dizziness, headache, confusion, drowsiness, sweating, shortness of breath, vomiting, and diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking Apriso?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using Apriso.

Apriso side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Apriso: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking Apriso and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• severe stomach pain, cramping, fever, headache, and bloody diarrhea.

Less serious Apriso side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, gas;

• fever, sore throat, or other flu symptoms;

• constipation;

• headache or dizziness;

• tired feeling; or

• skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Apriso side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Apriso?

Before taking Apriso, tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• azathioprine (Imuran) or mercaptopurine (Purinethol);

• pentamidine (Nebupent, Pentam);

• tacrolimus (Prograf);

• amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet);

• antibiotics such as capreomycin (Capastat), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled);

• antiviral medicines such as acyclovir (Zovirax), adefovir (Hepsera), cidofovir (Vistide), or foscarnet (Foscavir);

• cancer medicine such as aldesleukin (Proleukin), carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), cisplatin (Platinol), ifosfamide (Ifex), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), streptozocin (Zanosar), or tretinoin (Vesanoid); or

• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin, nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Apriso. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Apriso.