Drugs Information Center(DIC)

Category : Aminosalicylates Sulfasalazine is a combination of 5-aminosalicylic acid (‘5-ASA') and sulfapyridine; sulfapyridine acts only as a carrier to the colonic site of action but still causes side-effects. In the newer aminosalicylates, mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid), balsalazide (a prodrug of 5-aminosalicylic acid) and olsalazine (a dimer of 5-aminosalicylic acid which cleaves in the lower bowel), the sulphonamide-related side-effects of sulfasalazine are avoided, but 5-aminosalicylic acid alone can still cause side-effects including blood disorders (see recommendation below) and lupus-like syndrome also seen with sulfasalazine. Cautions Aminosalicylates should be used with caution in renal impairment, during pregnancy and breast-feeding; blood disorders can occur. Blood disorders: Patients receiving aminosalicylates should be advised to report any unexplained bleeding, bruising, purpura, sore throat, fever or malaise that occurs during treatment. A blood count should be...

Doctors have rediscovered that salsalate, a drug used to treat arthritis, may be beneficial for type 2 diabetes as well. Rediscovered? Well, dial back to 1876 -- a medical journal reported on a patient who was successfully treated with salicylate (a simple form of salsalate) for diabetes. Salicylates are a subset of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Now, researchers from the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston report that using salsalate for short time periods can lower blood sugar before people eat and after they eat -- and affect average blood sugar measurements over time. It may turn out to be that one drug benefits both conditions -- arthritis and diabetes. Salsalate is reportedly safe and inexpensive. Results from a broad study carried out in 13 states, that evaluated salsalate as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, are expected to be released in a couple of months. A larger study will begin later in the year at 20 U.S. sites. More than 15 million people in the U.S. have ty...