Delayed-release Multi Matrix System (MMX) mesalazine: in ulcerative colitis.

Abstract

* Mesalazine appears to act locally on the mucosa of the colon and reduces the inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis. * Following oral administration, the majority (*78%) of a dose of delayed-release Multi Matrix System (MMX) mesalazine passes unabsorbed through the upper gastrointestinal tract to reach and traverse the entire length of the colon. * In a well designed phase III trial in patients with active, mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (n = 262), significantly (p < 0.01) more MMX mesalazine 2.4 (34%) or 4.8 g/day (29%) recipients than placebo recipients (13%) achieved clinical and endoscopic remission after 8 weeks of treatment.* In a second phase III trial (n = 341), clinical and endoscopic remission rates with MMX mesalazine 2.4 (40.5%) and 4.8 g/day (41.2%) were significantly (p < 0.01) greater than with placebo (22.1%) after 8 weeks, while the remission rate with non-MMX delayed-release mesalazine (Asacol) [32.6%] did not differ from placebo.* Overall, MMX mesalazine was generally well tolerated in controlled clinical trials, with a similar incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events in placebo (66%) and MMX mesalazine (56%) recipients in a pooled analysis; most adverse events were of mild or moderate severity. Two of 434 MMX mesalazine recipients experienced serious adverse events that were considered treatment related (pancreatitis caused by mesalazine sensitivity).

• Authors: Paul L McCormack, Dean M Robinson, Caroline M Perry
• Journal: Drugs (Drugs) Vol. 67 Issue 17 Pg. 2635-42 ( 2007) ISSN: 0012-6667 [Print] New Zealand
• PMID: 18034594 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Mesalamine

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Colitis, Ulcerative (drug therapy)
• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Drug Tolerance
• Humans
• Mesalamine (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Remission Induction
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Treatment Outcome