Aminosalicylic Acid, Oral a-mee-noh-sal-i-SIL-ik A-sid

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antibiotic

Generic and brand names: aminosalicylic acid, oral; Paser

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat tuberculosis (TB). This medicine is taken along with other drugs to treat TB. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine or to food dyes such as tartrazine
• liver or kidney disease
• stomach ulcers

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine with meals unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise. It is best to mix the granules with applesauce, yogurt, or tomato or fruit juice. Swallow without chewing.

Do not use the medicine if it is dark brown or purple, or if packet is swollen.

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval, even if you feel better. You must take this medicine for a long time to treat tuberculosis.

Your healthcare provider will prescribe other medicines to treat tuberculosis. Take them exactly as directed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Your healthcare provider will want to see you regularly while you are taking this medicine. Keep all appointments.

You may see the outer shell of the granules in your bowel movements. This is normal.

If you take it for more than 1 month, this medicine may keep your body from absorbing vitamin B12. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Unexplained fever, yellowish eyes or skin, light colored stool, dark urine, unusual bruising or bleeding, constant sore throat.

Other: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, tiredness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril, enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril, lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace)
• aspirin and other salicylates
• digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
• diuretics (water pills) such as bumetanide, furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone (Aldactone), and torsemide (Demadex)
• ethionamide (Trecator)
• isoniazid
• natural remedies such as cat's claw, dong quai, evening primrose, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, green tea, horse chestnut, and red clover
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDS) such as celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine in the refrigerator or freezer. You may keep the granules at room temperature for a short time. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light. Do not use the granules if they are dark brown or purple.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.