Special Warning : אזהרת שימוש

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Blood tests (differential blood count; liver function parameters such as ALT or AST; serum creatinine) and urinary status (dip sticks) should be determined prior to and during treatment, at the discretion of the treating physician. As a guideline, follow-up tests are recommended 14 days after commencement of treatment, then a further two to three tests at intervals of 4 weeks.
If the findings are normal, follow-up tests should be carried out every three months. If additional symptoms occur, these tests should be performed immediately.
Caution is recommended in patients with impaired hepatic function.
Mesalazine should not be used in patients with impaired renal function. Mesalazine-induced renal toxicity should be considered, if renal function deteriorates during treatment. If this is the case, Rafassal Caplets should be discontinued immediately.


Cases of nephrolithiasis have been reported with the use of mesalazine including stones with a 100% mesalazine content. It is recommended to ensure adequate fluid intake during treatment.


Mesalazine may produce red-brown urine discoloration after contact with sodium hypochlorite bleach (e.g., in toilets cleaned with sodium hypochlorite contained in certain bleaches).


Serious blood dyscrasias have been reported very rarely with mesalazine. Hematological investigations should be performed if patients suffer from unexplained haemorrhages, bruises, purpura, anaemia, fever or pharyngolaryngeal pain. Rafassal Caplets should be discontinued in case of suspected or confirmed blood dyscrasia.


Cardiac hypersensitivity reactions (myocarditis, and pericarditis) induced by mesalazine have been rarely reported. Rafassal Caplets should then be discontinued immediately.


Patients with pulmonary disease, in particular asthma, should be very carefully monitored during a course of treatment with mesalazine.
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions
Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs), including drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), have been reported in association with mesalazine treatment.
Mesalazine should be discontinued, at the first appearance of signs and symptoms of severe skin reactions, such as skin rash, mucosal lesions, or any other sign of hypersensitivity.


Patients with a history of adverse drug reactions to preparations containing sulphasalazine should be kept under close medical surveillance on commencement of a course of treatment with mesalazine.
Should Rafassal Caplets cause acute intolerance reactions such as abdominal cramps, acute abdominal 

pain, fever, severe headache and rash, therapy should be discontinued immediately.
Note:
In patients who have undergone bowel resection/bowel surgery in the ileocoecal region with removal of the ileocoecal valve, it may happen that Caplets are excreted undissolved in the stool, due to an excessively rapid intestinal passage.

Rafassal 500 mg caplet contains about 50 mg sodium, equivalent to 2.5% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.
Rafassal 1 gram caplet contains about 100 mg sodium, equivalent to 5% of the WHO recommended maximum daily intake of 2 g sodium for an adult.

Effects on Driving

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Mesalazine has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.