Dipentum (Olsalazine)

Prescription medicineOnly Available By Prescription

What if I find a lower price with another pharmacy?

We guarantee the lowest price on all of our prescription products. If you find your medications cheaper at any other recognized licensed mail order pharmacy, we will not only match their price, we will beat it by 25% of the difference. It is our 125% price match guarantee!

Example: If you find a product on Canada Drugs Direct for $50.00 and find the same product for $40.00 at another mail order pharmacy, we will provide you with a $12.50 discount, bringing your total to $37.50.

To get the discount please make sure to mention the price match to the customer service team when they call to collect payment for your order. Or call toll free at 1-888-904-8467 to place the order through the phone.

Terms & Conditions of Program

  • Guaranteed lowest price is only valid at the time of sale.
  • We will only match the current advertised price.
  • Products must be identical and in stock at the time of placing an order with a licensed mail order pharmacy. They must be an online Canadian pharmacy with an address in Canada.
  • Products must be authentic in brand and size (same manufacturer, same country of manufacture, same pack size, same strength and same quantity).
  • Products must be new. We cannot match the price of any used, short expiry or expired product.
  • Price match can only be issued over the phone with our customer service team. Please note at this time we cannot offer price matching for the products Ozempic or Saxenda.
What is a Generic Drug?

A generic drug is a copy of the brand-name drug with the same dosage, safety, strength, quality, consumption method, performance, and intended use. Before generics become available on the market, the generic company must prove it has the same active ingredients as the brand-name drug and works in the same way and in the same amount of time in the body.

The only differences between generics and their brand-name counterparts is that generics are less expensive and may look slightly different (eg. different shape or color), as trademarks laws prevent a generic from looking exactly like the brand-name drug.

Generics are less expensive because generic manufacturers don't have to invest large sums of money to develop a drug. When the brand-name patent expires, generic companies can manufacture a copy of the brand-name and sell it at a substantial discount.

Description

Dipentum (olsalazine sodium) is an oral aminosalicylate indicated for the maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis (UC). It is a prodrug that consists of two 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) molecules linked by an azo bond. Upon reaching the colon, it is cleaved by bacterial azoreductases to release the active compound, mesalamine, which exerts a topical anti-inflammatory effect on colonic mucosa by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis. Dipentum is used in adult patients to prevent flare-ups and maintain mucosal healing in chronic UC.

Fact Table

Formula

C14H10N2O6

License

US FDA (1990); EMA

Bioavailability

Poor (systemic); active in colon after bacterial cleavage

Legal status

Prescription only

Chemical Name

Olsalazine sodium

Elimination half-life

0.9 hours (olsalazine); 1–2 hours (5-ASA)

Dosage (Strength)

250 mg capsule; typical dose: 500 mg BID

Pregnancy

Category C – caution advised

Brands

Dipentum

Protein binding

>99% (5-aminosalicylic acid)

PubChem CID

4636

MedlinePlus

a601089

ChEBI

CHEBI:76195

ATC code

A07EC03

DrugBank

DB00777

KEGG

D00464

Routes of administration

Oral

Directions

The typical adult dose is:

500 mg twice daily, taken with food to minimize gastrointestinal side effects.

Swallow capsules whole; do not crush or chew. Clinical benefit may take several weeks. Dipentum is not indicated for the treatment of acute UC flares. Use should be guided by disease activity, tolerance, and patient history.

Ingredients

Each capsule contains:

Olsalazine sodium 250 mg

Inactive ingredients may include:

Magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and capsule components (gelatin, titanium dioxide, colorants)

Contraindications

Dipentum is contraindicated in patients with:

Known hypersensitivity to salicylates, including aspirin or 5-ASA compounds

Severe renal impairment or advanced kidney disease

Hypersensitivity to any of the inactive components

Cautions

Dipentum may cause or worsen renal impairment. Assess renal function prior to initiation and periodically during therapy. Use caution in patients with pre-existing kidney disease or dehydration. Cases of interstitial nephritis have been reported. Monitor liver enzymes in patients with hepatic impairment. Use with caution in patients with a history of sulfasalazine intolerance, as cross-sensitivity may occur. Dipentum is not recommended during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh potential risks.

Side Effects

Common and potential side effects include:

Diarrhea

Abdominal pain or cramping

Nausea

Headache

Rash or itching

Fatigue

Rare: interstitial nephritis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, myocarditis or pericarditis, blood dyscrasias

IMPORTANT NOTE: The information provided above is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical or veterinary advice. Always consult your physician, pharmacist, or veterinarian regarding the safety, suitability, and proper use of any medication for yourself or your pet.

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