Aminosalicylates
Aminosalicylates
Aminosalicylates (pronounced: ah-mee-no-sa-li-si-lates) are a type of medication used primarily in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Etymology
The term "Aminosalicylates" is derived from the words "amino", referring to an amino group, and "salicylate", referring to a type of salicylic acid derivative.
Usage
Aminosalicylates work by reducing inflammation in the gut. They are often used as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis and can also be used as a maintenance treatment to prevent relapses of the disease.
Related Terms
- 5-aminosalicylic acid: This is the active ingredient in most aminosalicylate medications. It is also known as mesalamine or 5-ASA.
- Sulfasalazine: This is a type of aminosalicylate medication that is a combination of 5-ASA and a sulfa antibiotic.
- Balsalazide and Olsalazine: These are other types of aminosalicylate medications.
Side Effects
Like all medications, aminosalicylates can have side effects. These can include nausea, headache, and abdominal pain. In rare cases, they can cause more serious side effects such as pancreatitis or hepatitis.
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