May 6--Salix Pharmaceuticals reported a first-quarter loss, but sales of its medicines to treat gastrointestinal ailments rose 30 percent.

The Morrisville company released its latest financial results late Tuesday. Salix products are used to treat ulcerative colitis, travelers' diarrhea and other diseases.

The company is one of a handful of small drug makers based in the Triangle with products approved for patients.

One fast-growing area are bowel-cleansing drugs that doctors prescribe before colonoscopies and other procedures. Sales of those drugs rose 23 percent compared to the first quarter last year.

"The bowel-cleansing market represents a dynamic and growing opportunity for Salix," CEO Carolyn Logan said in a prepared statement.

On July 1, CVS Caremark, a large prescription-benefits company, will begin covering Salix's Moviprep and Osmoprep drugs, expanding the products' potential market.

Revenue for the first three months of the year was $44.8 million, slightly below the average expectation of Wall Street analysts.

But the net loss of $14 million was slightly better than analysts had expected, and an improvement from a $24 million loss during the quarter last year.

Salix shares fell 8 cents Tuesday to close at $10.75. The stock is up 50 percent in the past year.

alan.wolf@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4572

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