Suspensions enemas, mesalamine rectal

The active ingredient in the rectal suspension enema, a disposable (60 mL) unit, is mesalamine, also known as 5-aminosalicylic acid. Each rectal suspension enema unit contains 4 g of mesalamine. In addition to mesalamine, the preparation contains the inactive ingredients carbomer 934P, edetate disodium, potassium acetate, potassium met-... 

Each rectal suspension enema unit contains 4 g of mesalamine. In addition to mesalamine, the preparation contains the inactive ingredients carbomer 934P, edetate... 

Mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid asacol, others) is a salicylate that is used for its local effects in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (see Chapter 38). It currently is available as a suppository and rectal suspension enema (rowasa) for treatment of mild-to-moderate proctosigmoiditis Cl rectal suppository (canasa, others) for the treatment of distal ulcerative colitis, proctosigmoiditis, or proctitis. Oral formulations and controlled-release capsule that deliver drug to the lower intestine are efficacious in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, in particular ulcerative colitis. Sulfasalazine (salicylazosulfapyridine azulfidine) contains mesalamine linked covalently to sulfapyridine (see Chapter 38) it is absorbed poorly after oral administration, but it is cleaved to its active components by bacteria in the colon. The drug is of benefit in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, principally because of the local actions of mesalamine. 

Suspension The usual dosage of mesalamine suspension enema in 60 mL units is 1 rectal instillation (4 g) once a day, preferably at bedtime, and retained for approximately 8 hours. While the effect may be seen within 3 to 21 days, the usual course of therapy is 3 to 6 weeks depending on symptoms and sigmoidoscopic findings. 

Rectal Mesalamine administered rectally as a suspension enema is poorly absorbed from the colon and is excreted principally in the feces during subsequent bowel movements. At steady state, approximately 10% to 30% of the daily 4 g dose can be recovered in cumulative 24-hour urine collections. 

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