Pentasa Enema (Mesalazine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is Pentasa Enema Used For?
Pentasa Enema contains mesalazine, an anti-inflammatory medicine similar to aspirin that helps reduce inflammation in the large bowel and rectum.
Primary Uses
Pentasa Enema is used to treat ulcerative proctosigmoiditis and left-sided ulcerative colitis. These conditions cause inflammation, ulcers and sores in the rectum (back passage) and in the large bowel next to the rectum, leading to bleeding, stomach pain, and diarrhea.
How It Works
Pentasa works by helping to reduce inflammation in the large bowel and rectum. It is an anti-inflammatory agent similar to aspirin.
Good to know: This medicine helps control your condition but does not cure it. It’s important to keep using it even if you feel well.
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How to Take Pentasa Enema
Pentasa Enema should be used exactly as directed by your doctor. The enema works better if your bowel has been emptied before use.
Dosage Instructions
The recommended dose is one enema (1g) inserted into the rectum once daily at bedtime. If possible, go to the toilet and empty your bowels before using the enema. Shake the container well and use within 5 minutes of shaking. Insert the contents into the rectum and lie down for 5 to 10 minutes. You may feel discomfort and urgency to empty your bowels immediately after – this is normal. Try to resist this urge for as long as possible.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next enema, skip the missed dose and use your next enema when scheduled. Use Pentasa regularly at the same time each day for best results.
Important: Do not use a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
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 (gas)
- Mild skin rash
- Discomfort, pain or itching in the anus or rectum
- Dizziness
- Photosensitivity (sun sensitivity)
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath
- Severe upper stomach pain with nausea and vomiting (pancreatitis)
- Easy bruising, unusual bleeding, signs of infection like fever and chills
- 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)
- Allergic reactions with rash, breathing problems, swelling
- Severe skin reactions with blisters and bleeding
- Increased brain pressure with severe headaches and vision changes
Important Warnings
Before using Pentasa Enema, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medications.
Who Should Not Take Pentasa Enema
Do not use Pentasa if you are allergic to mesalazine or any ingredients in the medicine, or if you have severe kidney or liver problems. Do not give to children 12 years old or under.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: allergies to Pentasa, sulfasalazine or aspirin-like medicines; kidney or liver problems; bleeding disorders; history of asthma. You may need regular blood tests to check kidney function while using this medicine.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Pentasa should be used with caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and only if potential benefits outweigh possible risks. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using this medicine.
Blood monitoring required: Pentasa may cause kidney, liver or blood problems in some people. Have all blood tests recommended by your doctor and drink plenty of fluids during treatment.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements. Mesalazine belongs to a group called salicylates that may interfere with some medicines.
- Anti-coagulants (blood thinners like warfarin) – may increase blood thinning effects
- Sulphonylureas (diabetes medicines like glibenclamide, glipizide) – may increase blood sugar lowering effects
- Methotrexate (cancer/arthritis medicine) – may increase toxic effects
- Glucocorticoids (anti-inflammatory medicines like prednisolone) – may increase stomach side effects
- Probenicid or sulfinpyrazone (gout medicines) – may decrease their effectiveness
- Spironolactone or frusemide (diuretics) – may decrease their effectiveness
- Rifampicin (tuberculosis medicine) – may decrease its effectiveness
- Azathioprine, mercaptopurine, thioguanine (immune system/cancer medicines) – may increase bone marrow problems
Alcohol & Driving
Pentasa Enema is not expected to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings are mentioned in the prescribing information.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Pentasa is not expected to affect your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
Storage
Keep Pentasa in the 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. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Pentasa or if the medicine has been swallowed by mouth, 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 there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medicine helps control your condition, and you may experience some discomfort initially due to bowel inflammation. This feeling will subside as treatment continues and inflammation decreases. Keep using the medicine even if you feel well.
You may feel urgency to empty your bowels immediately after inserting the enema due to inflammation. Try to resist this urge for as long as possible. Even if you retain just a portion of the enema, it’s a step in the right direction.
No, do not stop using this medicine or lower the dosage suddenly without checking with your doctor. If you stop taking it suddenly, your condition may worsen. This medicine helps control your condition but does not cure it.
If it’s almost time for your next enema, skip the missed dose and use your next enema when scheduled. Do not use a double dose to make up for the missed dose. Use Pentasa regularly at the same time each day.
Yes, Pentasa enemas may stain clothing, fabrics or other surfaces. Take appropriate precautions when using the medicine.
Yes, you should have all blood tests recommended by your doctor. Pentasa may cause kidney, liver or blood problems in some people, so regular monitoring is important. Also drink plenty of fluids during treatment.
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Pentasa should be used with caution during pregnancy and only if potential benefits outweigh possible risks. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while using this medicine.
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.