5-AMINOSALICYLATE AND CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY BOWEL-DISEASE IN CHILDREN

5-Aminosalicylate (mesalazine; 5-AS) represents a new therapeutic strategy in chronic inflammatory bowel disease. The drug (active metabolite of sulfasalazine) has proven its clinical efficacy and safety in numerous controlled studies in adults. However only limited data are available for the pediatric population. This brief review summarises the published spares information on this promising agent. As pharmacokinetic properties of 5-AS are age-independent and since 5-AS has a wide margin of safety clinical studies and use of this drug should be encouraged also in children.