Dipentum
Dipentum (olsalazine) is used to prevent flare-ups from ulcerative colitis (UC) in adults. It belongs to a drug class known as aminosalicylates. This medication is a capsule that's taken by mouth. The usual dosage is 2 capsules twice a day. Potential side effects include diarrhea and stomach pain. Dipentum (olsalazine) isn't available as a generic yet.
What is Dipentum (olsalazine)?
What is Dipentum (olsalazine) used for?
Ulcerative colitis in adults who can't take sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
How Dipentum (olsalazine) works
Dipentum (olsalazine) is an aminosalicylate. It lessens inflammation in your gut. This helps prevent flare-ups of UC.
Drug Facts
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What are the side effects of Dipentum (olsalazine)?
Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea (11%)
- Stomach pain or cramps (10%)
- Nausea (5%)
- Joint pain (4%)
- Rash (2%)
- Upper respiratory tract infection (2%)
- Depression (2%)
Other Side Effects
- Feeling gassy
- Vomiting
- Mouth sores
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Itching
Serious Side Effects
- Salicylate toxicity (too much medication in the body): nausea, vomiting, ringing in the ears, shallow breathing, headache, dizziness, confusion, seizures
- Kidney problems: urinating less often than usual; dry and itchy skin; fever; chills; muscle cramps; back or side pain; swelling in your feet, ankles, or hands
- Serious skin reaction: hives, blisters, peeling skin, skin reddening, fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes
- Allergic reaction: hives, swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Agitation
bloody diarrhea
blood in the urine
coma
confusion
dark-colored urine
decreased urine output
dizziness
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
headache
hostility
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
irritability
itching, skin rash
lethargy
light-colored stools
muscle twitching
pain in the groin or genitals
rapid weight gain
redness or other discoloration of the skin
seizures
severe sunburn
sharp back pain just below ribs
stomach pain
swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
loss of appetite
Less common
Aching joints and muscles
acid or sour stomach
belching
bloated or full feeling
body aches or pain
bone pain
congestion
cramps
difficulty with moving
dizziness or drowsiness
hoarseness
indigestion
muscle pain or stiffness
passing of gas
shivering
stomach discomfort or upset
sweating
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
swollen joints
tender, swollen glands in the neck
trouble with sleeping
trouble with swallowing
unable to sleep
voice changes
Rare
Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
flushing, redness of the skin
hair loss or thinning of the hair
inability to have or keep an erection
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
unusually warm skin
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Dipentum (olsalazine)
Pros
Taken by mouth
Prevents flare-ups from happening
Good option for people who can't take sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
Cons
Not a first-choice treatment option for severe UC
Won't help if you're currently having a flare-up
Not known whether it's safe or if it works well in children
Pharmacist tips for Dipentum (olsalazine)
You can take Dipentum (olsalazine) with or without food. Taking it with food might help prevent stomach upset.
Make sure you take Dipentum (olsalazine) every day to prevent flare-ups of your UC. It won't help if you only take it when you're having a flare-up.
Drink enough fluids when you're taking Dipentum (olsalazine). Good hydration can help prevent kidney stones from the medication.
You might notice that your urine is a reddish-brown color if it hits surfaces or water treated with bleach. This is normal. But if your urine is reddish-brown when it comes out of your body, get medical help right away because this can be a sign of kidney problems.
Make sure to wear sunscreen and protective clothing when you're outdoors. Dipentum (olsalazine) can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and raise your risk for sunburn.
Let your prescriber and pharmacist know if you've recently received or plan to get the chickenpox vaccine (Varivax). You shouldn't take Dipentum (olsalazine), aspirin, and other similar medications within 6 weeks of getting the vaccine to lessen your risk for Reye's syndrome. Speak with your healthcare team about your options.
Talk to your prescriber about all the medications you take so they can check for drug interactions that might raise your risk for side effects. It's especially important if you're taking blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin) or enoxaparin (Lovenox) or other medications that can cause harm to the kidneys. Your care team can make sure your medications are safe to take together.
Let your prescriber know if you've ever had an allergic reaction to aspirin or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine). You might have a similar reaction to Dipentum (olsalazine).
Frequently asked questions about Dipentum (olsalazine)
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What are the risks and warnings for Dipentum (olsalazine)?
Dipentum (olsalazine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Kidney problems
Risk factors: History of kidney problems | Taking other medications that can harm the kidneys
Some people who take Dipentum (olsalazine) have had kidney damage. Let your healthcare team know about any past or current kidney problems. Also tell them about all your medications to check whether you're taking other medications that can harm the kidneys. You'll need to get blood tests done before starting Dipentum (olsalazine) and periodically during treatment. Your prescriber will weigh the risks to your kidney health against the benefits for you to take Dipentum (olsalazine).
Other kidney problems that can happen while you're taking Dipentum (olsalazine) can include having kidney stones. Stay hydrated to prevent kidney stones from forming.
Intolerance syndrome
Dipentum (olsalazine) turns into mesalamine in your body. Mesalamine can cause a reaction called acute intolerance syndrome that can look a lot like a flare-up of UC. Stop taking Dipentum (olsalazine) and contact your care team right away if you have worsening UC symptoms, such as cramping, sudden stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, fever, and rash.
Serious allergic reaction
Risk factors: Allergy to sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
Dipentum (olsalazine) can cause serious allergic reactions. These reactions can make it difficult to breathe or cause a severe rash that can be life-threatening. In very severe cases, allergic reactions might involve the organs, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys. Stop taking Dipentum (olsalazine) and get medical help if you think you're having an allergic reaction.
Possible liver problems
Risk factors: History of liver problems
It's rare, but some people have had severe liver problems after they've taken a similar medication called mesalamine. Since Dipentum (olsalazine) gets turned into mesalamine in the body after you take the medication, it's important to let your prescriber know if you have a history of liver problems before you start treatment. They'll make sure Dipentum (olsalazine) is safe for you to take.
Severe skin reactions
Although rare, it's possible for Dipentum (olsalazine) to cause serious skin reactions. They can include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome, among others.
Stop taking Dipentum (olsalazine) and get medical help right away if you notice unusual changes in your skin, like rash, blisters, peeling skin, or skin reddening. These skin reactions can sometimes happen with or without fever, sore throat, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes. Look out for these symptoms as well.
Sun sensitivity
Risk factors: History of skin conditions, like eczema
Dipentum (olsalazine) can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. It can make it easier for you to get a sunburn. This might be more likely to happen if you have a skin condition like eczema. Try to avoid sun exposure as much as possible, wear protective clothing, and use sunscreen when outdoors.
Dipentum (olsalazine) dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250mg | 120 capsules | $1764.00 | $14.70 |
Typical dosing for Dipentum (olsalazine)
The typical dose is 500 mg by mouth two times a day.
Interactions between Dipentum (olsalazine) and other drugs
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Azathioprine
- Balsalazide
- Bismuth Subsalicylate
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Celecoxib
- Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate
- Choline Salicylate
- Clonixin
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Dipyrone
- Droxicam
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flurbiprofen
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Ketoprofen
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Magnesium Salicylate
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Mercaptopurine
- Mesalamine
- Morniflumate
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
- Nepafenac
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Phenylbutazone
- Phenyl Salicylate
- Piketoprofen
- Piroxicam
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylamide
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sulfasalazine
- Sulindac
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Trolamine Salicylate
- Valdecoxib
- Varicella Virus Vaccine, Live
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Tamarind
How much does Dipentum (olsalazine) cost?
Dipentum (olsalazine) contraindications
Allergy to aspirin or other salicylate medications
Allergy to other aminosalicylates
What are alternatives to Dipentum (olsalazine)?
Ulcerative colitis in adults who can't take sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
Mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) in people age 5 years and older
Dipentum (olsalazine) images
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References
Best studies we foundCrohn’s & Colitis Foundation. (2019). Managing flares and IBD symptoms.
Meda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2024). Dipentum- olsalazine sodium capsule, gelatin coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
Mikami, Y., et al. (2023). Significance of 5-aminosalicylic acid intolerance in the clinical management of ulcerative colitis. Digestion.
Rubin, D. T., et al. (2019). ACG clinical guideline: Ulcerative colitis in adults. The American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Vasudevan, A., et al. (2017). Time to clinical response and remission for therapeutics in inflammatory bowel diseases: What should the clinician expect, what should patients be told? World Journal of Gastroenterology.
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