About CANASA®
The active ingredient in CANASA® Rectal Suppositories 1000 mg, is mesalamine, also known as 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). Mesalamine (5ASA) is classified as an anti-inflammatory drug.
CANASA® suppositories are indicated for the treatment of active ulcerative proctitis. CANASA® suppositories are able to work directly on the area involved and have been shown to be the most rapid and effective way to treat ulcerative proctitis. In a clinical study, patient daily diary records have shown that CANASA® suppositories can quickly improve rectal bleeding within one week of therapy, and in some patients as early as 2- 3 days, significantly reduce stool frequency, diarrhea and tenesmus within two weeks; and reduce urgency associated with tenesmus.1,2
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
The usual dosage of CANASA® (mesalamine, USP) 1000 mg suppositories is one rectal suppository 1 time daily at bedtime.1
The suppository should be retained for one to three hours or longer, if possible, to achieve the maximum benefit. While the effect of CANASA® suppositories may be seen within three to twenty-one days, the usual course of therapy would be from three to six weeks depending on symptoms and sigmoidoscopic findings. Studies have suggested that CANASA® suppositories will delay relapse after the six-week short-term treatment.1
Information on this website is not intended to replace the advice of your physician(s). Please consider what you learn here a starting point for a conversation with your physician. All care of ulcerative proctitis and related conditions must be guided by the appropriate healthcare professional. CANASA® is a prescription drug; please ask your physician if CANASA® is right for you.
References
1. CANASA® (Mesalamine, USP) Rectal Suppository 1000 mg Prescribing Information, October 2008. 2.Lamet M. ; A Multicenter, Randomized Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Mesalamine Suppositories 1 g at Bedtime and 500 mg Twice Daily in Patients with Active Mild-to-Moderate Ulcerative Proctitis. Dig Dis Sci 2010 (DOI 10.1007/s10620-010-1334-y)
Canasa® is a prescription medication.
Indications and Usage
CANASA® 1000 mg suppositories are indicated for the treatment of active ulcerative proctitis.
You should not use CANASA® if you are allergic to any of the ingredients or to salicylates (including asprin or mesalamine also found in products such as Asacol®, Lialda®, and Rowasa®).
Tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney problems, pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas), pericarditis (inflamed sac around your heart), or if you are pregnant, or allergic to sulfasalazine, foods, preservatives or dyes. You should not breastfeed while using CANASA®. You and your doctor will decide if you should use CANASA®.
As with other products containing mesalamine, less common, but possibly serious side effects include cramps, sharp abdominal (stomach area) pain, bloody diarrhea, and sometimes fever, headache, and rash may occur. In rare cases, patients may experience symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. Stop use and tell your doctor right away if you get any of these symptoms. In rare cases, patients using CANASA® develop worsening colitis (pancolitis). The most common side effects of CANASA® reported included: headache, gas or flatulence, and diarrhea.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit http://www.FDA.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see the link for full US Prescribing Information