Here's the problem: "I get sick on sulfasalazine" sometimes means a sulfa allergy, but sometimes means a mesalamine allergy/intolerance instead. Sulfasalazine is converted to mesalamine in the body. So Canasa should be used cautiously in someone sensitive to sulfasalazine: be ready for the same adverse effect, but be open to the possibility that it will go just fine.

Just to make sure you understand. There is NO sulfa in Canasa (a brand name of mesalamine suppositories). But, both Canasa and sulfasalazine are forms of 5-ASA medications. ALL 5-ASA medications break down to mesalamine as the active ingredient. With sulfasalazine, the sulfa portion is just a binding agent to prevent absorption before it gets to the colon. Bacteria break the bond in the colon to release the mesalamine.

Canasa is a topical/rectal preparation and does not need anything to prevent absorption, so it is pure mesalamine (and of course, inactive ingredients to make it a suppository).

Most people who react to sulfasalazine are reacting to the sulfa, but there are rare mesalamine allergies and/or intolerances.

If you have been able to tolerate Asacol, Colazal, Pentasa, or Rowasa in the past, you will tolerate Canasa.

Jan

Oh....I hate trying to research things. Sorry Jan, I get so confused reading some of the info out there. Thanks for being patient with me. Now I just have to wait till monday to have Dr. Shens office call it in!

No problem. It definitely can be confusing and almost seem contradictory. Just remember, practically any medication will have similar disclaimers to be sure to notify your doctor of any allergies.

Jan