Doctors prescribe mesalamine to help control and prevent ulcerative colitis flare-ups.
Mesalamine belongs to a class of drugs called anti-inflammatory agents, which reduce inflammation by blocking production of an inflammatory chemical in the intestines called prostaglandin.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved mesalamine in 1987 for Meda Pharmaceuticals under the brand name Rowasa.
Mesalamine Warnings
You shouldn't take mesalamine if you are:- Allergic to mesalamine or any other ingredients in the medication
- Allergic or sensitive to salicylates
- Breastfeeding
Never give mesalamine in any form to children who have chicken pox or who might have the flu.
Lialda, one of the newer mesalamine-containing drugs on the market, may cause swelling of the face, lips, and mouth (angioedema), and severe skin reactions.
Talk to your doctor before taking mesalamine if you:
- Have had a peptic ulcer
- Are 65 or older
- Are taking lactulose
- Have kidney or liver problems
- Are allergic to Azulfidine (sulfasalazine)
- Have a blockage in your stomach or small intestine
Pregnancy and Mesalamine
The effects of mesalamine on a pregnant woman's unborn child have not been studied.Talk to your doctor about the drug if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
It's unclear what effect mesalamine has on nursing babies, so talk to your doctor before taking the drug if you are breastfeeding.
And remember that it's always a good idea to talk to your doctor about all of your medications if you're pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Mesalamine Side Effects
Common Side Effects
Tell your doctor if any of the following side effects are severe or don't go away:- Headache
- Nausea or stomach pain
- Infection or inflammation of the nose and throat
- Flare-ups in bowel condition
Serious Side Effects
The following serious side effects require urgent medical attention:- Kidney disease, inflammation, or failure
- Liver disease or failure
- Infection or inflammation of the muscles or lining of the heart
- Blood abnormalities
- Allergic reactions
- A severe reaction called acute intolerance syndrome, which may involve abdominal pain, fever, and severe or bloody diarrhea
Mesalamine Interactions
Don't take mesalamine if you're taking:
- Zanosar (streptozocin)
- Aciphex (rabeprazole), Dexilant (dexlansoprazole), Nexium (esomeprazole), and Prevacid (lansoprazole)
- Alternagel or Amphojel (aluminum hydroxide) and Milk of Magnesia (magnesium hydroxide)
- Axid or Axid AR (nizatidine), Pepcid (famotidine), and Tagamet (cimetidine)
- Baciim (bacitracin)
- Live varicella vaccine
- MMR II (live measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine)
- Polymyxin B
Mesalamine and Alcohol
Alcohol can irritate your stomach and intestines, and may potentially worsen your condition if you already have ulcerative colitis.If you can, avoid or at least limit drinking while taking mesalamine.
Mesalamine and Grapefruit Juice
Avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking mesalamine.Grapefruit slows down the body's breakdown of mesalamine, which could result in dangerously high levels of the drug in the bloodstream.
Mesalamine Dosage
Dosages of mesalamine vary by brand and manufacturer.
Apriso comes in extended-release capsules of 375 milligrams (mg), while Asacol HD comes in delayed-release tablets of 800 mg.
Asacol delayed-release tablets of 400 mg were discontinued in 2013.
Lialda comes in tablets of 1.2 grams (g), while Pentasa comes in extended-release capsules of 250 mg and 500 mg.
Delzicol comes in delayed-release capsules of 400 mg.
Canasa is a suppository of 1 g and Rowasa is a rectal solution (enema) containing 4 g of mesalamine per 60 milliliters (ml) of liquid.
Always take mesalamine tablets and capsules with a full glass of water.
Never break, crush, chew, or split delayed-release tablets or extended-release capsules containing mesalamine.
Try to take Delzicol either on an empty stomach or a few hours after eating.
Lialda, on the other hand, should always be taken with food.
More studies are needed to determine the maximum dose of mesalamine you can safely take, and in what form.
Yet some studies show that people can tolerate as much as 4.8 g of mesalamine by mouth, plus 4 g by enema daily, without adverse side effects.
Work with your doctor to figure out what dose works best for you.
You can reach a poison control center at 800-222-1222.
But if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Don't double up on doses to make up for a missed one.
Apriso comes in extended-release capsules of 375 milligrams (mg), while Asacol HD comes in delayed-release tablets of 800 mg.
Asacol delayed-release tablets of 400 mg were discontinued in 2013.
Lialda comes in tablets of 1.2 grams (g), while Pentasa comes in extended-release capsules of 250 mg and 500 mg.
Delzicol comes in delayed-release capsules of 400 mg.
Canasa is a suppository of 1 g and Rowasa is a rectal solution (enema) containing 4 g of mesalamine per 60 milliliters (ml) of liquid.
Always take mesalamine tablets and capsules with a full glass of water.
Never break, crush, chew, or split delayed-release tablets or extended-release capsules containing mesalamine.
Try to take Delzicol either on an empty stomach or a few hours after eating.
Lialda, on the other hand, should always be taken with food.
More studies are needed to determine the maximum dose of mesalamine you can safely take, and in what form.
Yet some studies show that people can tolerate as much as 4.8 g of mesalamine by mouth, plus 4 g by enema daily, without adverse side effects.
Work with your doctor to figure out what dose works best for you.
Mesalamine Overdose
If you suspect an overdose of mesalamine, contact an emergency room or poison control center right away.You can reach a poison control center at 800-222-1222.
Missed Dose of Mesalamine
If you miss a dose of mesalamine, take it as soon as you remember.But if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Don't double up on doses to make up for a missed one.
Mesalamine Pictures
