Pentasa Sachets (Mesalazine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Pentasa Sachets Used For?
Pentasa Sachets contain mesalazine, an anti-inflammatory medication similar to aspirin that helps reduce inflammation in the bowel.
Primary Uses
Pentasa is used to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – conditions that cause inflammation, ulcers and sores in the bowel, leading to bleeding, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
How It Works
Pentasa works by reducing inflammation in the bowel. It helps control your condition but does not cure it, so it’s important to keep taking it even when you feel well.
Good to know: This medicine helps control your condition and it’s important to continue taking it even when you feel well.
How to Take Pentasa Sachets
Pentasa Sachets contain granules that should be swallowed without chewing or crushing. Take at the same time each day to help you remember.
Dosage Instructions
For ulcerative colitis: Active disease – up to 4g once daily or in divided doses; Maintenance – up to 2g once daily or in divided doses. For Crohn’s disease: Active disease – up to 4g daily in divided doses; Maintenance – up to 4g daily in divided doses. Tear or cut the sachet along the dotted line, empty granules onto tongue and wash down with water or juice, OR mix with yogurt and consume immediately. Can be taken with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Important: Never chew or crush the granules – swallow them whole with water, juice, or mixed with yogurt.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Flatulence (stomach discomfort relieved by passing wind)
- Mild skin rash
- Dizziness
- Photosensitivity (especially with eczema or dermatitis)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath (heart problems)
- Severe upper stomach pain with nausea and vomiting (pancreas inflammation)
- Easy bruising, unusual bleeding, signs of infection like fever and sore throat
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in arms and legs
- Worsening condition with severe diarrhea and bloody stools
- Yellowing of skin or eyes, urine discoloration (liver problems)
- Changes in urine output, blood in urine, swelling (kidney problems)
- Strong headaches, vision changes, ringing in ears (increased brain pressure)
- Allergic reactions with rash, swelling, difficulty breathing
- Severe skin reactions with blisters and bleeding
Important Warnings
Before taking Pentasa, make sure your doctor knows about all your medical conditions and medications.
Who Should Not Take Pentasa Sachets
Do not take if you are allergic to mesalazine, sulfasalazine, aspirin-like medicines, or any ingredients in Pentasa. Do not take if you have severe kidney or liver problems. Not suitable for children 12 years old or under.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, bleeding disorders, history of asthma, or known allergies to similar medications. Regular blood tests may be needed to monitor kidney function.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Pentasa should be used with caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, only if potential benefits outweigh risks. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
Blood Monitoring: Regular blood tests are needed to check kidney function as Pentasa may cause kidney, liver or blood problems in some people.
Drug Interactions
Pentasa belongs to a group of medicines called salicylates that may interfere with other medications.
- Anti-coagulants (blood thinners like warfarin) – may increase blood thinning effects
- Sulphonylureas (diabetes medications like glibenclamide, glipizide) – may increase blood sugar lowering effects
- Methotrexate – may increase toxic effects
- Glucocorticoids (like prednisolone) – may increase stomach side effects
- Probenicid or sulfinpyrazone (gout medications) – may decrease effectiveness
- Spironolactone or furosemide (diuretics) – may decrease effectiveness
- Rifampicin (tuberculosis medication) – may decrease effectiveness
- Azathioprine, mercaptopurine, tioguanine – may increase bone marrow suppression
Alcohol & Driving
Pentasa is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the prescribing information.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Pentasa is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery safely.
Storage
Keep Pentasa Sachets in their original packaging until ready to use. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 25°C, away from moisture, heat and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Pentasa, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you have no symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication helps control your condition but does not cure it. It’s important to keep taking it even when you feel well, as directed by your doctor.
Yes, you can take Pentasa with or without food. Take it at the same time each day to help you remember.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Never take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
No, never chew or crush the granules. Empty them onto your tongue and wash down with water or juice, or mix with yogurt and consume immediately without chewing.
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without checking with your doctor, as your condition may worsen. Continue taking it for as long as your doctor tells you.
Yes, you should have regular blood tests as recommended by your doctor to check your kidney function, as Pentasa may cause kidney, liver or blood problems in some people.
Yes, you should take care to drink plenty of fluids while being treated with Pentasa, as kidney stones may develop during treatment.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.