Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

Pharmacy Guide

Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.

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Salofalk 1g gastro resistant tablets

⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued

The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.

If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Mesalazine may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.

Active substance: Mesalazine

Equivalent medicines (same active substance, strength and form)

Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc)
Official leaflet: Read the PIL on emc

What it is and what it is used for

for Salofalk 1g tablets contain the active substance mesalazine, an anti-inflammatory agent used to treat inflammatory bowel disease. Salofalk 1g tablets are used for the treatment of acute episodes of mild to moderate forms of an inflammatory disease of the large intestine (colon), called ulcerative colitis.

What you need to know before you take it

e Salofalk 1g tablets Do not take Salofalk 1g tablets

  • If you are allergic to mesalazine, salicylic acid, salicylates such as acetylsalicylic acid (e.g., Aspirin®) or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
  • If you have a serious liver or kidney disease. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Salofalk 1g tablets:
  • If you have a history of problems with your lungs, particularly if you suffer from bronchial asthma.
  • If you have a history of allergy to sulphasalazine, which is a substance related to mesalazine.
  • If you have liver problems.
  • If you have kidney problems.
  • If you have ever developed a severe skin rash or skin peeling, blistering and/or mouth sores after using mesalazine. Mesalazine may produce red-brown urine discoloration after contact with sodium hypochlorite bleach in the toilet water. It concerns a chemical reaction between mesalazine and bleach and is harmless.

paluk-sat1g-en6-2-feb26 (2)

Further precautions During treatment your doctor may want to keep you under close medical supervision and you may need to have regular blood and urine tests. In patients who have undergone certain types of bowel surgery, Salofalk 1g tablets may be excreted undissolved in the stool. If you notice this, please inform your doctor. Kidney stones may develop with use of mesalazine. Symptoms may include pain in sides of abdomen and blood in urine. Take care to drink sufficient amount of liquid during treatment with mesalazine. Serious skin reactions 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. Stop using mesalazine and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of the symptoms related to these serious skin reactions described in section 4. If you experience strong or recurrent headache, disturbed vision, or ringing or buzzing in the ears contact your doctor immediately. Other medicines and Salofalk 1g tablets Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This is because Salofalk 1g tablets can affect the way some other medicines work. Also, some other medicines can affect the way Salofalk 1g tablets work. In particular, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking:

  • Azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine or thioguanine (medicines used to treat immune disorders)
  • Certain medicines that prevent blood clotting (medicines for thrombosis or to thin your blood, e.g., warfarin) You may still be able to use Salofalk 1g tablets and your doctor will decide what is suitable for you. Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. You should only use Salofalk 1g tablets during pregnancy if instructed by your doctor. You should only use Salofalk 1g tablets during breast-feeding if instructed by your doctor, as this medicine may pass into breast milk. Driving and using machines Salofalk 1g tablets have no influence on your ability to drive and use machines.

Salofalk 1g tablets contain sodium

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodiumfree'.

How to take it

Salofalk 1g tablets Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Dosage Take one Salofalk 1g tablet three times a day (morning, midday and evening), or as instructed by your doctor. paluk-sat1g-en6-2-feb26 (2)

Method of administration Salofalk 1g tablets are for oral use only. Take the tablets 1 hour before meals. They should be swallowed whole, not chewed to ensure the integrity of the gastro-resistant coating, and taken with plenty of fluid. If you have difficulties with swallowing the tablet, please use another mesalazine formulation (e.g. granules). Use in children There is only limited documentation for an effect in children (age 6-18 years). Children 6 years of age and older and of a body weight > 40 kg Ask your doctor about the precise dosage of Salofalk 1g tablets for your child. The dosage depends on how severe the condition is and on your child's body weight. The dose should be determined individually, starting with 30-50 mg mesalazine per kg body weight per day that should be given in divided doses. The maximum dose is 75 mg mesalazine per kg body weight per day. The total dose should not exceed the maximum adult dose. Children 6 years of age and older and of a body weight ≤ 40 kg It is generally recommended that half the adult dose should be given to children up to a body weight of 40 kg and the normal adult dose to those above 40 kg. Due to the size of Salofalk 1g tablets and the dosage recommendations, preparations of lower strengths should be used in children (e.g., products containing 500 mg mesalazine). Duration of treatment The treatment of acute episodes of ulcerative colitis usually lasts 8 weeks. The length of treatment will depend upon your condition. Your doctor will decide how long you are to continue the medication. You should take Salofalk 1g tablets regularly and consistently during the acute episode of inflammation so the desired therapeutic effect can be achieved. For maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis your doctor will prescribe you another mesalazine product. If you think that the effect of Salofalk 1g tablets is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor. If you take more Salofalk 1g tablets than you should Contact your doctor if you are in doubt as they can decide what to do. If you take too many Salofalk 1g tablets on one occasion, take your next dose as prescribed. Do not use a smaller amount. If you forget to take Salofalk 1g tablets If you miss a dose, continue your treatment at the prescribed dosage. Do not take a double dose to make up for the forgotten one. If you stop taking Salofalk 1g tablets Do not stop taking this product before having spoken to your doctor.

paluk-sat1g-en6-2-feb26 (2)

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you experience any of the following symptoms after taking this medicine, you should contact your doctor and stop the intake of Salofalk 1g tablets immediately:

  • General allergic reactions such as skin rash, fever, joint pain and/or breathing difficulties or a general inflammation of your large bowel (causing severe diarrhoea and abdominal pain). These reactions are very rare.
  • A marked reduction of your general health, especially if accompanied by fever, and/or a sore throat and mouth. These symptoms can, very rarely, be due to a fall in the number of white cells in your blood, which may make you more prone to developing a serious infection (agranulocytosis). Other cells of the blood may also be affected (e.g., platelets or red cells causing aplastic anaemia or thrombocytopenia) and cause symptoms which may include unexplained bleeding, purple spots or patches under your skin, anaemia (feeling tired, weak and looking pale, especially on lips and nails). A blood test can confirm whether your symptoms are due to an effect of this medicine on your blood. These reactions are very rare.
  • Serious skin rashes with reddish non-elevated, target-like or circular patches on the trunk, often with central blisters, skin peeling, ulcers of mouth, throat, nose, genitals and eyes, widespread rash, fever and enlarged lymph nodes. These can be preceded by fever and flu-like symptoms. These reactions occur in an unknown number of patients (frequency not known).
  • Shortness of breath, chest pain or irregular heartbeat, or swollen limbs which may be indicative of cardiac hypersensitivity reactions. These reactions are rare.
  • Problems with your kidney function (can occur very rarely), e.g., a change in the colour or amount of urine produced and swollen limbs or a sudden flank pain (caused by a kidney stone) (occur in an unknown number of patients (frequency not known)).
  • Strong or recurrent headache, disturbed vision, or ringing or buzzing in the ears. These could be symptoms of increased pressure within your skull (idiopathic intracranial hypertension) (frequency not known [cannot be estimated from the available data]). The following side effects have also been reported by patients using medicines containing mesalazine, the active substance in Salofalk 1g tablets: Common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people
  • Headache
  • Rash, itching Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people
  • Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, wind (flatulence), nausea and vomiting
  • Severe abdominal pain because of acute inflammation of the pancreas
  • Changes in liver function parameters, changes in pancreatic enzymes Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people
  • Dizziness
  • Jaundice or abdominal pain because of liver and bile flow disorders
  • Increased sensitivity of your skin to sun and ultraviolet light (photosensitivity)
  • Joint pain
  • Feeling weak or tired Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people
  • Shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, lung shadow on x-ray due to allergic and/or inflammatory paluk-sat1g-en6-2-feb26 (2)

–

lung conditions Muscle pain Hair loss and the development of baldness Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy) Reversible decrease in semen production

Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

How to store it

Salofalk 1g tablets Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions. Do not throw away any medicines via household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

Contents of the pack and other information

What Salofalk 1g tablets contain The active substance is mesalazine. Each Salofalk 1g tablet contains 1g of mesalazine. The other ingredients are: Microcrystalline cellulose, povidone K 25, croscarmellose sodium, methacrylic acid methyl methacrylate copolymer (1:1) (Eudragit L 100), methacrylic acid methyl methacrylate copolymer (1:2) (Eudragit S 100), calcium stearate [herbal origin], talc, Macrogol 6000, hypromellose, colloidal anhydrous silica, iron oxide yellow (E172). What Salofalk 1g tablets look like and contents of the pack Salofalk 1g tablets are yellow to ochre yellow, oblong (20-21 mm), biconvex, rounded edges gastroresistant tablets with a smooth surface. Salofalk 1g tablets are available in packs of 20, 50, 60, 90, 100 and 150 gastro-resistant tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Dr. Falk Pharma GmbH Leinenweberstr. 5 79108 Freiburg Germany Tel +49 (0) 761 / 1514-0 Fax +49(0) 761 / 1514-321 paluk-sat1g-en6-2-feb26 (2)

E-mail: [email protected] www.drfalkpharma.de This medicine is authorised in the Member States of the European Economic Area and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland) under the following names: Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary Norway, Sweden and United Kingdom (Northern Ireland): Salofalk France: Osperzo Italy: Cletrova This leaflet was last revised in February 2026.

paluk-sat1g-en6-2-feb26 (2)

Frequently asked questions about Salofalk 1g gastro resistant tablets

How do I take Salofalk 1g gastro resistant tablets?

Salofalk 1g gastro resistant tablets comes as tablet containing 1g. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.

What is the active substance in Salofalk 1g gastro resistant tablets?

The active substance in Salofalk 1g gastro resistant tablets is mesalazine.

Are there equivalent medicines to Salofalk 1g gastro resistant tablets?

Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Pentasa Slow Release Tablets 1g. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.

Where does this information come from?

This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Salofalk 1g gastro resistant tablets, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.

Can I get Salofalk 1g gastro resistant tablets without a prescription?

Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.

About this leaflet

The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.

Medical disclaimer: This page is for information only and does not replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the leaflet supplied with your medicine. If you are unwell, call NHS 111; in an emergency, call 999.

Medicines with the same active substance: Mesalazine (31 medicines)
See every medicine containing this substance, or browse the full A–Z of active substances.
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
Technical information intended for healthcare professionals (doctors and pharmacists). The Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) is the official document approved by the MHRA/EMA. It does not replace the patient leaflet or a doctor’s advice.

4.1. Therapeutic indications

For the treatment of acute episodes of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

Adults

The recommended daily dose for the treatment of acute episodes of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis is one Salofalk 1g tablet three times a day (morning, midday and evening, equivalent to 3 g of mesalazine daily).

Paediatric population

There is only limited documentation for an effect in children (age 6-18 years).

Children 6 years of age and older and of a body weight > 40 kg

The dose should be determined individually, starting with 30-50 mg/kg/day in divided doses. Maximum dose: 75 mg/kg/day. The total dose should not exceed the maximum adult dose.

Children above a body weight of 40 kg could be treated with the same dose as adults.

Children 6 years of age and older and of a body weight ≤ 40 kg

In children up to 40 kg, it appears preferable to use mesalazine preparations of lower strengths (e.g., products containing 500 mg mesalazine).

Method of administration

Salofalk 1g tablets should be taken 1 hour before meals. They should be swallowed whole, not chewed to ensure the integrity of the gastro-resistant coating, and taken with plenty of fluid.

In case of difficulties swallowing the tablet, another mesalazine formulation (e.g. granules) should be used.

Therapy with Salofalk 1g tablets should be administered regularly and consistently in order to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

Duration of treatment

The duration of use is determined by the physician. Induction of remission is usually achieved within 8 weeks.

Note:

The standard treatment of the maintenance of remission is 500 mg mesalazine three times daily. For this indication products containing 500 mg mesalazine are available.

4.3. Contraindications

Salofalk 1g tablets are contraindicated in patients with:

- Hypersensitivity to the active substance, salicylates or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1

- Severe impairment of hepatic or renal function.

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 3 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, Salofalk 1g tablets 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. Salofalk 1g tablets should be discontinued in case of suspected or confirmed blood dyscrasia.

Cardiac hypersensitivity reactions (myocarditis, and pericarditis) induced by mesalazine have been rarely reported. Salofalk 1g tablets 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.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) has been reported in patients receiving mesalazine. Patients should be warned for signs and symptoms of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, including severe or recurrent headache, visual disturbances or tinnitus. If idiopathic intracranial hypertension occurs, discontinuation of mesalazine should be considered.

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 Salofalk 1g tablets 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 Salofalk 1g tablets are excreted undissolved in the stool, due to an excessively rapid intestinal passage.

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Specific interaction studies have not been performed.

In patients who are concomitantly treated with azathioprine, 6‑mercaptopurine or thioguanine, a possible increase in the myelosuppressive effects of azathioprine, 6‑mercaptopurine or thioguanine should be taken into account.

There is weak evidence that mesalazine might decrease the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

There are no adequate data on the use of mesalazine in pregnant women. However, data on a limited number of exposed pregnancies indicate no adverse effect of mesalazine on pregnancy or on the health of the fetus/newborn child. To date no other relevant epidemiologic data are available. In one single case after long-term use of a high dose mesalazine (2‑4 g, orally) during pregnancy, renal failure in a neonate was reported.

Animal studies on oral mesalazine do not indicate direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy, embryonic/fetal development, parturition or postnatal development.

Salofalk 1g tablets should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit outweighs the possible risk.

Breast-feeding

N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid and to a lesser degree mesalazine are excreted in breast milk. Only limited experience during lactation in women is available to date. Hypersensitivity reactions such as diarrhoea in the infant cannot be excluded. Therefore, Salofalk 1g tablets should only be used during breast-feeding if the potential benefit outweighs the possible risk. If the infant develops diarrhoea, the breast-feeding should be discontinued.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

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

4.8. Undesirable effects

The following undesirable effects have been observed after administration of mesalazine:

System Organ Class

Frequency according to MedDRA convention

Common

(≥ 1/100 to <1/10)

Uncommon

(≥ 1/1,000 to <1/100)

Rare

(≥ 1/10,000 to <1/1,000)

Very rare

(< 1/ 10,000)

Not known

(cannot be estimated from the available data)

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Altered blood counts (aplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, neutropenia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia)

Immune system disorders

Hypersensitivity reactions such as allergic exanthema, drug fever, lupus erythematosus syndrome, pancolitis

Nervous system disorders

Headache

Dizziness

Peripheral neuropathy

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (see section 4.4)

Cardiac disorders

Myocarditis, pericarditis

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Allergic and fibrotic lung reactions (including dyspnoea, cough, bronchospasm, alveolitis, pulmonary eosinophilia, lung infiltration, pneumonitis)

Gastrointestinal disorders

Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea, vomiting acute pancreatitis

Hepatobiliary disorders

Cholestatic hepatitis

Hepatitis

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Rash, pruritus

Photosensitivity

Alopecia

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN)

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Arthralgia

Myalgia

Renal and urinary disorders

Impairment of renal function including acute and chronic interstitial nephritis and renal insufficiency

Nephrolithiasis*

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Oligospermia (reversible)

General disorders

Asthenia, fatigue

Investigations

Changes in liver function parameters (increase in transaminases and parameters of cholestasis), changes in pancreatic enzymes (lipase and amylase increased), eosinophil count increased

* see section 4.4 for further information

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 (see section 4.4).

Photosensitivity

More severe reactions are reported in patients with pre-existing skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis and atopic eczema.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions:

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store

4.9. Overdose

There are rare data on overdose (e.g. intended suicide with high oral doses of mesalazine), which do not indicate renal or hepatic toxicity. There is no specific antidote and treatment is symptomatic and supportive.

💬 Ask about this leaflet

Ask anything about Salofalk 1g gastro resistant tablets. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.

Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.

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