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World J Gastrointest Pharmacol Ther. Dec 6, 2010; 1(6): 132-134
Published online Dec 6, 2010. doi: 10.4292/wjgpt.v1.i6.132
Published online Dec 6, 2010. doi: 10.4292/wjgpt.v1.i6.132
Mesalamine induced symptom exacerbation of ulcerative colitis: Case report and brief discussion
Maneesh Kumar Gupta, Department of Internal Medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
Scott Pollack, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
John J Hutchings, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, LSU Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
Author contributions: Gupta MK and Pollack S researched the topic and wrote the case report and discussion; Hutchings JJ acutely treated this patient during her hospital stay and reviewed this paper, providing appropriate feedback.
Correspondence to: John J Hutchings, MD, Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, LSU Health Sciences Center, 1542 Tulane Avenue, Suite 423 Box T4M-2, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States. jhutc1@lsuhsc.edu
Telephone: +1-504-5684498 Fax: +1-504-5682127
Received: May 28, 2010
Revised: October 2, 2010
Accepted: October 9, 2010
Published online: December 6, 2010
Revised: October 2, 2010
Accepted: October 9, 2010
Published online: December 6, 2010
Abstract
This paper describes a rare case in which the oral administration of mesalamine resulted in the exacerbation of ulcerative colitis (UC) in a patient who was previously responsive to mesalamine and whose colitis had been in remission for eight years. Mesalamine and other 5-aminosalicylic acid compounds are the mainstay of treatment for UC; however up to 8% of patients are unable to take the medications due to intolerance or hypersensitivity reactions. Common drug reactions are fever, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain; however, exacerbation of UC has rarely been reported. This study highlights the importance of ruling out mesalamine as the causative agent in cases of UC exacerbations.