Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy
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Expert Opin Pharmacother · Jan 2005
ReviewMesalazine for diverticular disease of the colon--a new role for an old drug.
Colonic diverticulosis is among the most common diseases of developed countries. Its prevalence is approximately 5 - 10% of the population by age 50, and 30, 50 and 66% of those > 50, > 70 and > 85years of age, respectively. ⋯ Indeed, mesalazine (with or without antibiotics) showed significant superiority in improving the severity of symptoms, bowel habits, and in preventing symptomatic recurrence of diverticulitis over antibiotics alone. More-over, in light of some preliminary results, it is probable that the association of mesalazine with probiotics may in the future be the first-choice treatment for mild-to-moderate uncomplicated attacks of acute diverticulitis.