Balsalazide Disodium 750mg Suppliers & Bulk Manufacturers

Available Forms: Capsules

Available Strengths: 750mg

Reference Brands: Colazal (USA/EU), Giazo (USA)

Category: Gastrointestinal Drugs

Balsalazide Disodium is an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease. It works by releasing mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid) in the colon, which reduces inflammation in the intestinal lining.

Product Description:

Balsalazide is a prodrug of mesalazine (5-aminosalicylic acid). Mesalazine is bonded by an azo linkage to an inert carrier, 4-aminobenzoyl-beta-alanine, so the drug passes intact through the stomach and small intestine. Colonic bacteria cleave the azo bond and release mesalazine where it is needed, in the colon, where it acts topically on the inflamed mucosa. The carrier is largely inert, which avoids the sulfapyridine adverse effects of sulfasalazine.

It is used to induce and maintain remission in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. The standard dose is 2.25 g three times daily, given as 750 mg capsules, which means a high pill burden and affects adherence. Diarrhoea, abdominal pain and headache are the common adverse effects. As with all 5-ASA drugs, renal function is monitored because of rare interstitial nephritis, and blood dyscrasias and hypersensitivity reactions, including pericarditis, are recognised.

Sourcing notes. Generic capsules are available in the US and some European markets, so this is price-competitive supply. Many markets register only mesalazine formulations, so the realistic competitor is a delayed-release mesalazine product rather than another balsalazide source. Capsule contents can be opened and sprinkled on food for patients who struggle with the pill count, which some tender specifications require to be supported by labelling.