Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

This medication is used for the treatment of various inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• This medication may be administered by mouth (e.g. as tablets or granules) or rectally (e.g. as an enema or suppository).
• Some preparations taken by mouth should be taken before food while others can be taken irrespective of food. Please check with your healthcare professional with respect to the specific preparation.
• Some modified or slow release or enteric coated preparations taken by mouth should be swallowed whole, not chewed or crushed. If uncertain, please consult your healthcare professional.
• Consult your healthcare professional with respect to how to administer rectal preparations.

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the usual time. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal administration time. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
• You have a history of liver or kidney disease.

What are some common side effects of this medication?

Common side effects of this medication include gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, muscle pain, reduced appetite and a cough. If symptoms persist or cause significant discomfort, please consult your healthcare professional.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

This medication may affect the blood particularly in the first few months of treatment. Report to your healthcare professional any unexplained bleeding, bruising, sore throat, fever or malaise that occur during treatment. You may be required to have your blood checked at intervals while taking this medication.

This medication may affect the liver. Report to your healthcare professional signs of liver problems including persistent dark urine or light coloured stool with abdominal discomfort and nausea and vomiting and/or yellowing of the skin or eyes. Your healthcare professional will require you to have your blood checked at intervals to monitor your liver.

This medication may affect the kidney. Inform your healthcare professional if you are passing less or no urine or if there is blood in the urine.

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking or intend to take any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimer

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last reviewed on Jan 2021