Safety of balsalazide therapy in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Balsalazide is a mesalamine prodrug that is generally well tolerated and useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This review will focus on newer safety information regarding the use of balsalazide in the treatment of patients with IBD. In general, mesalamine compounds such as balsalazide are better tolerated than sulfasalazine. Balsalazide therapy should be avoided in patients with known hypersensitivity reaction to salicylates, mesalamine, other balsalazide metabolites, or the components of the Colazal (Salix Pharmaceuticals; Morrisville, NC) capsule (silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate) but may be tolerated in patients who were unable to tolerate other mesalamine compounds for non-hypersensitivity reasons. Overall, balsalazide is well tolerated and effective in the treatment of IBD.