title: Red-Brown Urine Discolouration in Two Patients Taking Mesalamine.
abstract: A 38-year-old male and a 36-year-old female experienced red-brown urine discolouration after 2 and 3 days, respectively, during the use of mesalamine for inflammatory bowel disease. Both patients mentioned that the urine discoloured after contact with sodium hypochlorite detergent in toilet water. Mesalamine and the inactive metabolite N-acetyl-5-aminosalicylic acid are primarily excreted in the urine. We hypothesised a possible reaction with sodium hypochlorite and/or light. Naranjo assessment scores of 9 and 6 were obtained for the reports, indicating a certain and probable relationship, respectively, between the red-brown urine discolouration and the use of the suspect drug mesalamine. Knowledge of this harmless reaction is desirable to avoid unnecessary physical examination and worry.
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb, Goudsbloemvallei 7, 5237 MH, 's Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands. t.smeets@lareb.nl.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smeets
authors.affiliation: Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb, Goudsbloemvallei 7, 5237 MH, 's Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Hunsel