Description

What is Octasa 400 mg Modified Release Tablets?

Octasa 400 mg Modified Release Tablets contain mesalazine (also known as mesalamine), an anti-inflammatory medicine used in the management of ulcerative colitis. The modified-release formulation is designed to deliver the active ingredient to the intestine, where it acts locally to reduce inflammation.

Octasa is prescribed for adults to treat mild to moderate ulcerative colitis and to help maintain remission after symptoms have improved. Treatment should always be supervised by a healthcare professional.

 

How does mesalazine work?

Mesalazine is an anti inflammatory medicine commonly prescribed to manage inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. It works directly in the lining of the intestine, where it helps reduce inflammation rather than acting throughout the entire body.

Although the exact way mesalazine works is not fully understood, research shows that it helps control several processes involved in intestinal inflammation. It reduces the movement of inflammatory white blood cells into the bowel, lowers the production of inflammatory substances such as cytokines and leukotrienes, and helps neutralise harmful free radicals that contribute to tissue damage.

Mesalazine is also believed to influence cellular pathways, including activation of PPAR-γ receptors and suppression of NF-κB, both of which help regulate inflammatory responses within the intestinal lining. By reducing inflammation, the medicine helps relieve symptoms and promotes healing of the bowel.

Studies have also explored whether long term mesalazine treatment might reduce the risk of colorectal cancer in people with ulcerative colitis. While some research has shown encouraging results, current clinical evidence remains mixed, and further studies are needed to confirm this potential benefit.

What are the benefits of taking Mesalazine?

Mesalazine is prescribed for adults with mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis and is also used to help maintain remission in people with Crohn’s disease. As a member of the aminosalicylate class of medicines, it is designed to reduce inflammation within the digestive tract and help keep symptoms under control.

Regular treatment with mesalazine offers several benefits, including:

• Reduces inflammation in the lining of the bowel.
• Helps relieve abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and rectal bleeding associated with ulcerative colitis.
• Supports healing of inflamed intestinal tissue.
• Helps reduce the frequency and severity of disease flare ups.
• Assists in maintaining remission for long term disease management.
• Improves quality of life by helping patients manage chronic bowel symptoms more effectively.

Side effects and precautions

Like all prescription medicines, mesalazine can cause side effects, although many people take it without experiencing significant problems. If you notice symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or a severe skin rash, seek immediate medical attention.

Common side effects include:

• Headache.
• Diarrhoea.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Stomach or abdominal pain.
• Excess gas or bloating.
• Acne.

Uncommon side effects include:

• Dizziness.
• Inflammation of the pancreas, which may cause severe abdominal or back pain.
• Inflammation of the heart or surrounding tissue, which may present with chest pain, shortness of breath, or an irregular heartbeat.
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight or ultraviolet light.

Rare but serious side effects include:

• Blood disorders that increase the risk of infection, bruising, or bleeding.
• Liver inflammation, which may cause yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Kidney problems, including swelling, changes in urine colour, or blood in the urine.
• Nerve damage causing tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.
• Allergic lung reactions with coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath.
• Temporary hair loss.
• Muscle or joint pain.
• Severe allergic reactions affecting multiple organs.
• Temporary reduction in sperm count, which usually returns to normal after treatment stops.
• Severe diarrhoea or abdominal pain caused by an allergic reaction within the bowel.
• Fever associated with an allergic response.

Before starting treatment, tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney disease, liver disease, asthma, or a history of allergic reactions to salicylates. Regular blood and urine tests may be recommended during long term treatment to monitor kidney and liver function.

Buying Mesalazine online

Mesalazine tablets are available from Redcare Pharmacy following a suitable medical assessment. After your consultation has been reviewed by a qualified healthcare professional, your treatment will be prescribed if appropriate and delivered directly to your chosen address in discreet packaging.

Always use mesalazine exactly as prescribed and read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with your medicine. If your symptoms worsen or you experience unexpected side effects, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly for further advice.

Approved Uses

• Treatment of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.
• Maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis.

For complete prescribing information, consult the Electronic Medicines Compendium (eMC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).