Mesalamine with MMX™ technology for the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Abstract

Mesalamine with MMX Multi Matrix System^® technology (hereafter referred to as MMX mesalamine) is an oral, high-strength (1.2 g/tablet), once-daily formulation of 5-aminosalicylic acid used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. This new formulation has been designed to provide delayed and prolonged 5-aminosalicylic acid release throughout the colon. In recent clinical studies, MMX mesalamine (taken as a once-daily dose of 2.4 or 4.8 g) effectively induced clinical remission and mucosal healing versus placebo in patients with active, mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis. Once remission was achieved, MMX mesalamine effectively maintained disease remission in the majority of patients for at least 12 months. In this paper, we comprehensively review the results of studies exploring the clinical pharmacology, efficacy and safety of MMX mesalamine in patients with ulcerative colitis, and examine the implications of these findings on clinical practice.

Keywords::

• 5-aminosalicylic acid
• adherence
• induction
• maintenance
• mesalamine
• mucosal healing
• MMX Multi Matrix System
• remission
• ulcerative colitis

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Stefan Schreiber has served as a consultant for, and has participated in continuing medical education events indirectly sponsored by, Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc. He has received honoraria for lectures from the Falk-Foundation and has given consultancy advice to Proctor & Gamble Inc. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript. The authors acknowledge the contribution of Duncan Campbell (GeoMed) and Mark Richardson (contract writer) for medical writing support, Sarah Wright (GeoMed) for editorial assistance and Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc for financial support.