What is Ulcerative Proctitis?
Ulcerative proctitis is a common form of the inflammatory bowel disease called ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis can affect any part of the large bowel. With ulcerative proctitis, only the rectum (the last 7 inches of the colon) is inflamed. About one third to one half of patients initially diagnosed with ulcerative colitis will have inflammation limited to the rectum (i.e. ulcerative proctitis). Although it is a chronic disease that flares (active disease), with effective treatment it can be managed very well.
Ulcerative proctitis affects the mucosal lining of the rectum, and is characterized by inflammation and redness, which could develop into rectal ulcers (sores). This inflammation leads to a variety of symptoms including rectal bleeding, rectal pain, diarrhea, and a persistent urge to empty the bowel called tenesmus.
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.
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