Pentasa tablets contain the active ingredient, mesalazine 500mg, an anti-inflammatory medication used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Inflammatory chemicals in the prostaglandin and leukotriene class that are found in the intestinal wall are suppressed by mesalazine which blocks the enzyme that creates these substances. As a result, inflammation is reduced, and symptoms are relieved.
Symptoms of ulcerative colitis include ulcers, open sores, abdominal pain, cramping and rectal bleeding. Crohn’s disease is characterised by frequent bowel movements, abdominal pain, bloating and weight loss.
Pentasa is prescribed to induce and maintain remission of the inflammatory episodes.