Topical Action of 5-ASA:
Extent of Disease Affects Formulation Choice

Choice of a 5-ASA formulation is partially based on the extent and location of disease.

  • 5-ASA suppositories directly treat the area affected in ulcerative proctitis.1,2
  • Liquid enemas may be more appropriate for distal ulcerative colitis, as the mesalamine delivered concentrates from the proctosigmoid area and extends into the splenic flexure and distal transverse colon.1,3
  • The efficacy of most 5-ASA therapies is dependent upon direct contact with the inflamed mucosa.4



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.

References
1.Sandborn WJ, Hanauer SB. Systematic review: the pharmacokinetic profiles of oral mesalazine formulations and mesalazine pro-drugs used in the management of ulcerative colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2003;17:29-42. 2.Regueiro M, Loftus EV, Steinhart AH, Cohen RD. Clinical guidelines for the medical management of left-sided ulcerative colitis and ulcerative proctitis: summary statement. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2006;12:972-978. 3.van Bodegraven AA, Boer RO, Lourens J, Tuynman HA, Sindram JW. Distribution of mesalazine enemas in active and quiescent ulcerative colitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1996;10:327-332. 4.Marshall JK, Irvine EJ. Putting rectal 5-aminosalicylic acid in its place: the role in distal ulcerative colitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000 July;95(7):1628-1636.

 

CANASA® is available by prescription only.

CANASA® 1000 mg Suppositories are indicated for the treatment of active ulcerative proctitis.

CANASA® is contraindicated in patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid) or to the suppository vehicle [saturated fatty acid esters (Hard Fat, NF)], or to salicylates (including Aspirin).

As with other mesalamine containing products, less common but possibly serious side effects such as acute intolerance syndrome, pericarditis and pancolitis may occur.

Patients on CANASA® 1000 mg, especially those on concurrent oral products which contain or release mesalamine and those with pre-existing renal disease, should be carefully monitored with urinalysis, BUN and creatinine testing.

Caution should be exercised when CANASA® suppositories are initially used in patients known to be allergic to sulfasalazine.

CANASA® was generally well tolerated in clinical studies. The most common side effects of CANASA® are dizziness (3%), rectal pain (1.8%), fever (1.2%), rash (1.2%), acne (1.2%), and colitis (1.2%).

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.