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Olsalazine versus sulphasalazine for relapse prevention in ulcerative colitis: a multicenter study
A Nilsson1, A Danielsson, R Löfberg
1Department of Medicine, Umeã Hospitals, Sweden.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Olsalazine and sulphasalazine showed similar relapse prevention for ulcerative colitis patients tolerant to sulphasalazine. Olsalazine demonstrated comparable tolerability, with fewer reported cases of diarrhea compared to sulphasalazine.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease Research
Background:
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) management requires effective relapse prevention.
- Sulfasalazine is a common treatment, but some patients develop intolerance.
- Olsalazine, a related compound, is an alternative for sulfa-tolerant patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of olsalazine versus sulphasalazine in preventing ulcerative colitis relapses.
- To assess and compare the frequency of adverse events between olsalazine and sulphasalazine.
Main Methods:
- Randomized trial of sulphasalazine-tolerant ulcerative colitis patients in remission.
- Patients received either 2g sulphasalazine or 1g olsalazine daily for 6-18 months.
- Relapse rates and adverse events were analyzed using frequency and life-table methods.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in relapse-preventing efficacy between olsalazine and sulphasalazine.
- Failure rates (relapses + withdrawals) were 54.7% for olsalazine and 47.2% for sulphasalazine (intention-to-treat).
- Fewer patients in the olsalazine group discontinued due to side effects (12 vs. 8), particularly diarrhea.
Conclusions:
- Olsalazine and sulphasalazine exhibit comparable efficacy in preventing ulcerative colitis relapses in sulfa-tolerant individuals.
- Olsalazine appears to have better tolerability than previously reported, with a lower incidence of diarrhea.