Balsalazide: profile and news

Salix Pharmaceuticals Reports 4Q2005 and FY2005 Results; 2005 ... Feb 24, 2006
Current major development projects include late-stage clinical trials to investigate XIFAXAN in four indications, a balsalazide tablet for the treatment of ... - Genetic Engineering News,

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CALCICHEW(R) range (calcium carbonate with or without vitamin D3) CARBATROL(R) (carbamazepine extended-release capsules) COLAZIDE(R) (balsalazide) DAYTRANA(TM ... - PR Newswire (press release),

Other information

Indication
For the treatment of mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis

Pharmacology
Balsalazide is a prodrug that is enzymatically cleaved in the colon to produce mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid), an anti inflammatory drug indicated for the treatment of mildly to moderately active ulcerative colitis. Balsalazide disodium is delivered intact to the colon where it is cleaved by bacterial azoreduction to release equimolar quantities of mesalamine, which is the therapeutically active portion of the molecule, and 4-aminobenzoyl-(beta)-alanine.

Mechanism Of Action
The mechanism of action of 5-aminosalicylic acid is unknown, but appears to be topical rather than systemic. Mucosal production of arachidonic acid metabolites, both through the cyclooxygenase pathways, i.e., prostanoids, and through the lipoxygenase pathways, i.e., leukotrienes and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, is increased in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease, and it is possible that 5-aminosalicylic acid diminishes inflammation by blocking production of arachidonic acid metabolites in the colon.

Drug Category
Anti-ulcer Agents; ATC:A07EC04

Brand Names/Synonyms
BALSALAZIDE; Balsalazida [Spanish]; Balsalazide Disodium; Balsalazido [Spanish]; Balsalazidum [Latin]; Carbadox; Colazal

Dosage Forms
Not Available

Absorption
Not Available

Interactions
Interactions for Balsalazide:

No drug interaction studies have been conducted for COLAZAL ô, however the use of orally administered antibiotics could, theoretically, interfere with the release of mesalamine in the colon.

Chemical IUPAC Name
5-[4-(2-carboxyethylcarbamoyl)phenyl]azo-2-hydroxy-benzoicacid

Chemical Formula
C17H15N3O6

Half Life
half-life could not be determined

Drug Type
Approved Drug

# Accession No
APRD00141

CAS Registry Number
80573-04-2