Giazo-Uses-side effects-dosage-interactions and Review

Why is this drug recommended?

Giazo (Balsalazide) is used to treat ulcerative colitis in adults and children 5 years of age and older. Ulcerative colitis is a disorder that results in swelling and ulcers in the lining of the colon (large intestine) and rectum. An anti-inflammatory medication is Giazo (Balsalazide). It reduces intestinal inflammation, diarrhoea, rectal bleeding, and stomach discomfort by turning into mesalamine in the body.

Ask your doctor or chemist for further details if you’re interested in using this medicine for any other conditions.

Giazo (Balsalazide)-Uses-side effects-dosage-interactions and Review

How is this medication to be taken?

Giazo (Balsalazide) is available as a pill to swallow. Typically, it is taken three times each day. Ask your doctor or chemist to clarify any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Giazo (Balsalazide) should be taken as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Giazo (Balsalazide) can be taken for up to 12 weeks but is typically used for 8 weeks. Giazo (Balsalazide) should still be taken even if you feel OK. Without first consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking Giazo (Balsalazide).

Do not break, chew, or crush the capsules; instead, swallow them whole. You can open the capsules and sprinkle the contents over 2 teaspoonfuls (or about 10 mL) of applesauce if you are unable to swallow the capsules or if you are administering this medication to a child. You should immediately consume the mixture and swallow it; you can chew it if required. You should be aware that ingesting Giazo (Balsalazide) pills dissolved in applesauce may colour your teeth and tongue.

Other use for this drug

Other prescriptions for this drug are possible. For further information, see your physician or chemist.

What specific safety measures should I take?

Prior to ingesting Giazo (Balsalazide),

Aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate, choline salicylate, diflunisal, magnesium salicylate (Doan’s, others), mesalamine (Apriso, Pentasa, Rowasa), salsalate, sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Giazo (Balsalazide) capsules should not be taken by anyone who is allergic to any of these substances. Request a list of the components from your chemist.
Inform your doctor and chemist about any other prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal items you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for adverse effects.
Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had any skin conditions, such as pyloric stenosis (a condition in which the stomach empties slowly), kidney stones, liver disease, or eczema (atopic dermatitis, a skin condition that causes the skin to be dry and itchy as well as occasionally develop red, scaly rashes).
Inform your doctor if you are expecting, want to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Giazo (Balsalazide).
Plan to use protective clothes, sunglasses, and sunscreen as well as to minimise excessive or extended sun exposure. Your skin might become photosensitive if you use Giazo (Balsalazide).
You should be aware that a significant response to Giazo (Balsalazide) is possible. It may be challenging to distinguish between a reaction to the medicine and a flare-up (episode of symptoms) of your disease because many of the symptoms of this reaction are similar to those of ulcerative colitis. If you develop any, all, or any combination of the following symptoms, get medical attention right away: stomach cramps, bloody diarrhoea, fever, headache, or rash.

How should I proceed if I forget to take a dose?

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dosage is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your normal dosing plan. To make up for a missing dosage, do not take a second one.

What negative effects may this medicine have?

There may be Giazo (Balsalazide) side effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:
headache
abdominal pain
upset stomach
diarrhea
vomiting
joint or muscle pain
difficulty falling or staying asleep
tiredness
gas
runny nose
coughing
loss of appetite
constipation
dry mouth
The following symptoms, as well as those in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, should be reported to your doctor right away, or you should seek emergency medical attention:
swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, mouth, or throat as well as a rash, hives, itching, peeling, or blistering of the skin

new or worsening cough
shortness of breath
chest pain
extreme tiredness
yellowing of the skin or eyes
pain in the right upper part of the stomach
pale stools
difficult or painful urination or cloudy, discolored or bloody urine
back pain
bloating or swelling of the stomach
increased diarrhea
rectal bleeding
fever, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms
You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch or by phone at 1-800-332-1088 if you suffer a significant adverse event.

READ MORE: Colazal-Uses-side effects-dosage-interactions and Review

What should I be aware of about the handling and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication securely closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it at room temperature and out of the bathroom and other places with excessive heat and moisture.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from small children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent dogs, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a drug take-back programme is the ideal approach to get rid of your medicines. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your chemist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

In the event of a crisis or overdose

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right away if the person has passed out, had a seizure, is having problems breathing, or cannot be roused.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain
fast or shallow breathing
ringing in ears
headache
dizziness
confusion
seizures

What additional details should I be aware of?

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how you are responding to Giazo (Balsalazide), your doctor may request certain lab tests. Inform the lab staff that you take Giazo (Balsalazide) before you undergo any testing, as this medicine may affect the results of some tests.

No one else should take your medicine. Any queries you may have regarding prescription refills should be directed to your chemist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergency.

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.