Colazal

Before taking this medicine

Do not take Colazal if you have a known or suspected allergy to salicylates, aminosalicylates, any capsule ingredient, or substances formed when balsalazide breaks down in the body. It should also be avoided if you have pyloric stenosis or another structural or functional blockage in the upper digestive tract. Tell your prescriber if you have kidney or liver problems, or take medicines that can harm the kidneys. Kidney function should be checked before and during treatment; treatment should be stopped if it worsens. Older adults have a higher risk of blood disorders and need blood cell and platelet monitoring. Worsening bowel symptoms may indicate an acute intolerance reaction that can resemble a flare of ulcerative colitis. Contact your prescriber promptly if symptoms worsen. Stop treatment and seek immediate medical assessment if an allergic reaction or signs of a severe skin reaction develop. Allergic reactions can include inflammation of the heart muscle or its surrounding lining. If you have an existing skin condition, avoid sun exposure, wear protective clothing and use broad-spectrum sunscreen outdoors. Maintain adequate fluid intake during treatment because kidney stones can occur; these stones may not appear on standard X-rays or CT scans. Tell the clinician ordering urine tests that you take this medicine, as it can falsely raise results for urinary normetanephrine with certain testing methods.