Knowing the definitions of some common medical words can help you have a productive conversation with your health care team about UC and its treatment.
Chronic: A condition or group of symptoms that continues for a long period of time.
Diarrhea: Watery bowel movements.
Important Safety Information: Some of the potential risks associated with the use of a medication, including who should not take it, warnings and precautions, and side effects.
Indication: An FDA-approved use for a drug. For example, Lialda is indicated for the induction of remission in patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis and for the maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis.
Inflammation: The body’s response to injury, which may include pain, swelling, redness, and heat. Inflammation is the body’s attempt to clear out whatever caused the injury (for example, bacteria) and repair damaged tissue.
Mesalamine [me sal’ a meen]: An anti-inflammatory drug that acts on the lining of the colon to reduce inflammation in active, mild to moderate UC. Also known as 5-aminosalicylic acid or 5-ASA. Lialda is a mesalamine.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Drugs commonly used to treat acute and chronic pain and reduce inflammation, including aspirin and ibuprofen. Taking NSAIDs with Lialda may increase your chance of kidney problems.
Remission: The period of time when evidence of a disease is no longer present.
Salicylate: A medication derived from salicylic acid — such as aspirin — that has anti-inflammatory properties. Lialda is a 5-aminosalicylic acid, which is another type of salicylate.
Side effect: A typically undesirable effect or action of a drug, such as nausea, headache, or dizziness. Other side effects can be more serious in nature. Learn more about the most common side effects with Lialda.
Sulfasalazine [sul fa sal’ a zeen]: A drug that can be used to treat active, mild to moderate UC. It works inside the intestine by helping to reduce inflammation.
UC flare-up: A return or worsening of UC symptoms.
Ulcerative colitis (UC): A disease of the colon with signs and symptoms such as bloody diarrhea and inflammation of the lining of the colon.