Pentasa Dosage/Direction for Use

Posology: Ulcerative colitis: Treatment of active disease: Prolonged-release tablet: Adults: Individual dosage, up to 4 g daily in divided doses.
Children 6 years of age and older: Individual dosage, usually 20-30 mg/kg bodyweight daily in divided doses.
Maintenance treatment: Adults: Individual dosage, usually 2 g daily in divided doses.
Children 6 years of age and older: Individual dosage, usually 20-30 mg/kg bodyweight daily in divided doses.
Prolonged-release granules: Adults: Individual dosage, up to 4 g given once daily or in divided doses.
Prolonged-release tablet: Crohn's disease: Treatment of active disease and maintenance treatment: Adults: Individual dosage, up to 4g daily in divided doses.
Children 6 years of age and older: Individual dosage, usually 20-30 mg/kg bodyweight daily in divided doses.
Suppository: Posology: 1 suppository 1-2 times daily.
Rectal suspension: Posology: Adults: 1 rectal suspension at bedtime.
Paediatric population: Prolonged-release tablet and Prolonged-release granules: There is only limited documentation for an effect in children (age 6-18 years).
Suppository and Rectal suspension: There is little experience and only limited documentation for an effect in children.
Method of administration: Prolonged-release tablet: PENTASA tablets must not be chewed. To facilitate swallowing, the tablets may be dispersed in 50 ml of cold water. Stir and drink immediately.
Prolonged-release granules: PENTASA granules must not be chewed. The contents of the sachet should be emptied onto the tongue and washed down with some water or orange juice. Alternatively, the entire content of the sachet can be taken with yogurt and consumed immediately.
Suppository: 1. A visit to the toilet is recommended before inserting a suppository.
2. Open the foil bag at the tear mark.
3. The suppository is inserted in the rectum until resistance is felt and disappeared again.
4. In order to facilitate the administration, the suppository can be moistured with water or moisture cream.
5. If the suppository is discharged within the first 10 minutes, another can be inserted.
Rectal suspension: 1. A visit to the toilet is recommended before administration of the rectal suspension.
2. Immediately before use take the rectal suspension bottle out of the aluminium foil pack and shake it well.
3. To break the seal twist the nozzle clockwise one full turn (the nozzle should then be in the same direction as before turning).
4. Put the hand in one of the plastic disposal bags provided in the pack.
5. Hold the container. Lubricate top part of rectal applicator.
6. To administer the rectal suspension, lie on the left side with the left leg straight and the right leg bent forward for balance. Carefully insert the applicator tip into the rectum. Maintain sufficient steady hand pressure while dispersing the bottle content. The bottle content should be applied within max. 30-40 seconds.
7. Once the bottle is empty, withdraw the tip with the bottle still compressed.
8. The rectal suspension should be retained in the bowel. Remain relaxed in the administration position for 5-10 minutes or until the urge to pass the rectal suspension has disappeared. Try to retain the rectal suspension overnight.
9. Roll the plastic disposal bag over the empty bottle. Discard it and wash hands.