How to use MECOLVIX 500 MG SUPPOSITORIES
Contents of the leaflet
- Introduction
- What is Mecolvix and what is it used for
- What you need to know before you use Mecolvix
- How to use Mecolvix
- Possible side effects
- Storage of Mecolvix
- Contents of the pack and other information
Introduction
Package Leaflet: Information for the Patient
Mecolvix 500 mg Suppositories
mesalazine
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
- Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
Contents of the pack
- What is Mecolvix and what is it used for
- What you need to know before you use Mecolvix
- How to use Mecolvix
- Possible side effects
- Storage of Mecolvix
- Contents of the pack and other information
1. What is Mecolvix and what is it used for
Mecolvixcontains the active substance mesalazine, which is an anti-inflammatory active substance for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in adults.
Mecolvixis indicated for:
- Distal ulcerative colitis (proctitis), an inflammatory disease of the last region of the colon, for example, the rectum.
- Treatment of mild or moderate acute exacerbations;
- Maintenance of remission.
Not sure if this medicine is right for you?
Discuss your symptoms and treatment with a doctor online.
2. What you need to know before you use Mecolvix
Do not useMecolvix
- if you are allergic to mesalazine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
- if you are allergic to acetylsalicylic acid or any other salicylate
- if you have severe kidney and/or liver impairment.
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting to use Mecolvix
- if you are or plan to become pregnant
- if you are breast-feeding
- if you have liver or kidney problems
- if you have any lung disease, for example, asthma
- if you have been allergic to sulfasalazine in the past
- if you have a stomach or intestinal ulcer
- if you have previously had an inflammation of the heart (which could be a consequence of a heart infection)
- if you have ever had a severe skin rash or skin peeling, blisters or ulcers in the mouth after using mesalazine.
If you experience severe headache or recurrent headache, vision changes or ringing or buzzing in the ears, contact your doctor immediately.
In case of appearance of any allergic manifestation (e.g., skin rash, itching) or cramps, abdominal pain, severe headache, and fever during the course of treatment, do not use this medicine anymore and inform your doctor immediately.
Before and during treatment, your doctor may want to perform regular blood and urine tests to check the functioning of the liver, kidneys, blood, and lungs.
Kidney stones may occur with the use of mesalazine. The symptoms include pain in the sides of the abdomen and blood in the urine. Make sure to drink a sufficient amount of liquid during treatment with mesalazine.
Mesalazine may cause a discoloration of the urine to a reddish-brown color after contact with sodium hypochlorite bleach in the toilet water. This is a chemical reaction between mesalazine and bleach and is harmless.
Severe skin rashes, such as drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SSJ), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), have been observed with mesalazine treatment. Stop taking mesalazine and seek medical attention immediately if you observe any of the symptoms related to these severe skin reactions described in section 4.
Children and adolescents
The information on safety in the use of this medicine in children and adolescents is limited.
Do not administer to children under 5 years of age.
Other medicines andMecolvix
In general, you can continue treatment with other medicines while using Mecolvix. However, inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used, or may need to use any other medicine, including those obtained without a prescription.
Mecolvixmay interact with some medicines if administered at the same time.
In particular:
- medicines to lower blood sugar (antidiabetics)
- medicines to lower blood pressure (antihypertensives/diuretics)
- medicines for the treatment or prevention of gout attacks
- medicines to prevent blood clotting (anticoagulants)
- medicines to reduce the activity of the immune system (e.g., azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine, or thioguanine)
- medicines to treat pain and inflammation (anti-inflammatory)
- mesalazine may delay the excretion of methotrexate
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.
There is limited experience with the use of mesalazine during pregnancy and breast-feeding. The newborn may develop allergic reactions after breast-feeding, for example, diarrhea. If the newborn develops diarrhea, breast-feeding should be discontinued.
The use of Mecolvixis not recommended in pregnant or breast-feeding women unless your doctor advises you otherwise.
Driving and using machines
Mecolvixhas no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.
3. How to use Mecolvix
Follow the instructions for administration of this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. If you are in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.
Your doctor may adjust the dose depending on your characteristics and the characteristics of your disease. The recommended dose in adults is:
- Acute phase treatment: one suppository two or three times a day (corresponding to a daily dose of 1000-1500 mg of mesalazine).
- Remission maintenance: one suppository one or two times a day (corresponding to a daily dose of 500-1000 mg of mesalazine).
Method of administration:
This medicine can only be used rectally, so it must be inserted through the anus. It must not be taken orally.
It is recommended to go to the bathroom and empty the intestine before using the suppository.
It is advisable to insert the suppository while lying on your left side and remain in this position for approximately 1 hour.
The suppositories should be inserted deeply into the anus and should be kept in the rectum for 1 to 3 hours to increase efficacy.
Use in children and adolescents
The administration of Mecolvixis not recommended in children and adolescents under 18 years of age due to the lack of data on its safety and efficacy. Do not administer to children under 5 years of age.
Use in elderly patients
The use of Mecolvixin elderly patients should be done with caution and always limited to those patients with normal renal function.
If you use moreMecolvixthan you should
If you have used more Mecolvixthan you should, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone: 915620420, indicating the medicine and the amount used. It is recommended to bring the packaging and the leaflet of the medicine to the healthcare professional.
If you forget to useMecolvix
Do not use a double dose to make up for forgotten doses.
It is important that you use Mecolvixevery day, even when you do not have symptoms of ulcerative colitis. Continue treatment as prescribed by your doctor.
If you stop usingMecolvix
Do not stop treatment without consulting your doctor first.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Started taking the medicine and have questions?
Discuss your symptoms and treatment with a doctor online.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
All medicines can cause allergic reactions, although serious allergic reactions are very rare. If you get any of the following symptoms after using this medicine, stop using this medicine and contact your doctor immediately:
- Allergic skin rash;
- fever;
- difficulty breathing.
If you experience fever or irritation of the throat or mouth, stop using this medicine and contact your doctor immediately. These symptoms may be due, very rarely, to a decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood (a condition called agranulocytosis).
Severe side effects
Stop taking mesalazine and seek medical attention immediately if you get any of the following symptoms:
- red patches, or circular or coin-shaped patches on the chest, often with central blisters, skin peeling, ulcers in the mouth, throat, nose, genitals, and eyes, generalized rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. These severe skin rashes are often preceded by fever or flu-like symptoms.
- if you experience severe headache or recurrent headache, vision changes, or ringing or buzzing in the ears. These could be symptoms of increased pressure inside your skull (idiopathic intracranial hypertension).
The following side effects have also been reported in patients using mesalazine:
Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
- abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, and vomiting;
- headache, dizziness;
- chest pain, difficulty breathing, or swollen limbs due to an effect on the heart;
- increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight and ultraviolet light (photosensitivity)
Very rare side effects (may affect less than 1 in 10,000 people)
- kidney problems, sometimes with swollen limbs or side pain;
- severe abdominal pain due to acute pancreatitis;
- worsening of colitis symptoms;
- fever, sore throat, or nausea due to changes in blood count;
- difficulty breathing, cough, wheezing, spots on lung X-ray due to allergic and/or inflammatory conditions in the lungs;
- diarrhea and severe abdominal pain due to an allergic reaction to the medicine in the intestine;
- skin rash or skin inflammation;
- muscle and joint pain;
- jaundice or abdominal pain due to liver or biliary disorders;
- hair loss and development of baldness;
- erythema multiforme;
- numbness and tingling of the fingers and toes (peripheral neuropathy)
- reversible decrease in semen production;
- blood count disorders.
Side effects of unknown frequency (cannot be estimated from the available data).
- Kidney stones and associated kidney pain (see also section 2).
Photosensitivity
More severe reactions have been reported in patients with pre-existing skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and atopic eczema.
If these symptoms continue or become more severe, consult your doctor.
Reporting of side effects:
If you experience any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly to the Spanish Medicines and Healthcare Products Agency (AEMPS) through the website: www.notificaRAM.es. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. Storage of Mecolvix
Do not store above 30°C. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicineafter the expiry date which is stated on the packaging and blister after EXP. The expiry date is the last day of the month stated.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Composition ofMecolvix
- The active substance is mesalazine. Each suppository contains 500 mg of mesalazine
- The other ingredients are: semi-synthetic solid glycerides.
Appearance of the product and contents of the pack
Mecolvixis presented in the form of torpedo-shaped suppositories, grayish-white to slightly reddish-violet in color.
Mecolvixis available in packs of 12, 24, 30, 60, or 100 suppositories. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing authorization holder
Faes Farma, S.A.
Autonomia Etorbidea, 10
48940 Leioa (Bizkaia)
Spain
Manufacturer
Faes Farma Portugal, S.A
Rua Elias Garcia, 28
2700-327 Amadora
Portugal
This medicine is authorized in the Member States of the European Economic Area under the following names:
Spain: Mecolvix 500 mg suppositories
France: Mesalazine Mayoly 500 mg suppositories
Ireland: Galtasa 500 mg suppositories
Romania: Azzavix 500 mg suppositories
Czech Republic: Azzavix
Hungary: Salcrozine 500 mg rectal suppositories
Date of last revision of this leaflet: July 2022
Detailed information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Healthcare Products (AEMPS) http://www.aemps.gob.es/
Illustrative image - Country of registration
- Dosage formSUPPOSITORY, 500 mg
- ATC codeA07EC02
- Active substance
- Prescription requiredYes
- Manufacturer
- This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a doctor before taking any medication. Oladoctor is not responsible for medical decisions based on this content.
- Alternatives to MECOLVIX 500 MG SUPPOSITORIES
ASACOL 1 G SUPPOSITORIESIllustrative imageDosage form: SUPPOSITORY, 1 gActive substance: mesalazineManufacturer: Tillotts Pharma Spain S.L.U.Prescription required
ASACOL 1600 mg GASTRO-RESISTANT TABLETSIllustrative imageDosage form: TABLET, 1600 mgActive substance: mesalazineManufacturer: Tillotts Pharma Spain S.L.U.Prescription required
ASACOL 400 mg GASTRO-RESISTANT TABLETSIllustrative imageDosage form: TABLET, 400 mgActive substance: mesalazineManufacturer: Tillotts Pharma Spain S.L.U.Prescription required
Online doctors for MECOLVIX 500 MG SUPPOSITORIES
Discuss questions about MECOLVIX 500 MG SUPPOSITORIES, including use, safety considerations and whether a prescription is appropriate, subject to medical assessment and local regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
MECOLVIX 500 MG SUPPOSITORIES requires a prescription in Spain. You can check with a doctor online whether this medicine may be appropriate for your situation.
The active ingredient in MECOLVIX 500 MG SUPPOSITORIES is mesalazine. This information helps identify medicines with the same composition but different brand names.
MECOLVIX 500 MG SUPPOSITORIES is manufactured by Faes Farma S.A.. Pharmacy brands and packaging may differ depending on the distributor.
Doctors such as Family doctors, Endocrinologists, Gastroenterologists, Oncologists, Sports medicine specialists, General medicine doctors, Lactation medicine doctors, Intensive care physicians may assess whether MECOLVIX 500 MG SUPPOSITORIES is appropriate, depending on your situation and local regulations. You can book an online consultation to discuss your symptoms and possible next steps.
The prescription is issued by a doctor after assessing your health. In Spain, MECOLVIX 500 MG SUPPOSITORIES is then dispensed in pharmacies with that prescription. An online consultation does not guarantee that a prescription will be issued: the decision always rests with the doctor.
To request an assessment, you can use Oladoctor:
Other medicines with the same active substance (mesalazine) include ASACOL 1 G SUPPOSITORIES, ASACOL 1600 mg GASTRO-RESISTANT TABLETS, ASACOL 400 mg GASTRO-RESISTANT TABLETS. These may have different brand names or formulations but contain the same therapeutic ingredient. Always consult a doctor before switching or starting a new medicine.
