Influence of Olsalazine and Sulphasalazine on Gastrointestinal Transit

Abstract

The effect of olsalazine and sulphasalazine on stool output and transit of a solid radiolabelled meal through the stomach, small intestine and colon was measured. In six patients with ulcerative colitis intolerant of sulphasalazine, olsalazine, 250 mg q.d.s., significantly accelerated gastric emptying, mouth to caecum transit time and whole gut transit time. No significant changes were seen in the mean daily stool weight or in the mean daily stool frequency. In six normal subjects, sulphasalazine, 1 g t.d.s., had no significant effect on gastric emptying, mouth to caecum transit, whole gut transit or stool output. All six patients tolerated olsalazine without any adverse effects. In conclusion, olsalazine accelerated gastric and intestinal transit, and this effect on intestinal motor activity could be responsible for the diarrhoea reported in some patients taking this drug.

Key Words:

• Gut transit
• olsalazine
• sulphasalazine
• ulcerative colitis