5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is no better than non-5-ASA drugs in preventing a recurrence of diverticulitis, according to a Cochrane Library review of the medical literature.

• An analysis that included more than 1,800 patients found that 31.3% of patients taking 5-ASA experienced a recurrence of diverticulitis, compared to 29.8% in those on other medications.
• Adverse effects were also similar in both groups; most common reactions to 5-ASA were epigastric pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
• The quality of the evidence reviewed during the Cochrane review was considered very low and used varying criteria to evaluate the diagnosis of diverticulitis.