olsalazine sodium

Olsalazine sodium is a small molecule anti-inflammatory drug in the aminosalicylate class, used primarily for the maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis, especially in patients intolerant to sulfasalazine. It is a prodrug composed of two molecules of mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid) linked by an azo bond. After oral administration, colonic bacteria cleave this bond to release active mesalamine locally in the colon. Mesalamine exerts its effect by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase pathways involved in arachidonic acid metabolism, thereby reducing prostaglandin and leukotriene production and attenuating inflammation at the epithelial level. Olsalazine also inhibits xanthine oxidase activity[1][3][5][6].

Brand names

Dipentum

Other names

olsalazinedisodium 3,3'-azobis(6-hydroxybenzoate)