[Comparative efficacy of mezakol and sulfasalazine in treating chronic relapsing ulcerative colitis].

This research testifies to the fact that it is more preferable to use mesacol than sulfasalazine in treatment of common forms of ulcerative colitis of light and average severity. Mesacol acts faster in arresting inflammations in proximal parts of the larger intestine. One can assume that the pH-dependent release of 5-aminosalicylic acid in these forms of the disease suffers less than the destruction of the diazo link by the anaerobic microflora, due to which a higher concentration of the preparation is formed in the large intestine. Another alternative explanation can be the dose-dependent effect. Thus, 2.4. g of mesacol correspond to 6 g of sulfasalazine. The dose of sulfasalazine was smaller in our study. Mesacol had no advantages over sulfasalazine in treatment of distal colitis, which can and must be treated with rectal introduction of corticosteroids and 5-aminosalicylic acid preparations. Thus, mesacol must be reserved for treatment of patients with common ulcerative colitis of light and average severity in case of intolerance to sulfasalazine or impossibility to increase the preparation dose over 4 g/day. Its efficiency and price make the preparation available for most patients and patient care institutions.