What is Mesalamine?

Mesalamine (Oral)

Mesalamine affects a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea.
Mesalamine is used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis. Mesalamine is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.
Mesalamine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Mesalamine (Rectal)

Mesalamine affects a substance in the body that causes inflammation, tissue damage, and diarrhea.
Mesalamine rectal is used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis. Mesalamine is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.
Mesalamine rectal may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Mesalamine?

Mesalamine (Oral)

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to mesalamine or to aspirin or other salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan’s Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others).
Before you take mesalamine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, a stomach condition called pyloric stenosis, a heart condition such as congestive heart failure, or a history of allergy to sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).
Do not crush, break, or chew a mesalamine tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially formulated to release the medicine after it has passed through your stomach into your intestines.
Call your doctor if you find undissolved tablets in your stool.
Stop using mesalamine and call your doctor at once if you have severe stomach pain, cramping, fever, headache, and bloody diarrhea.

Mesalamine (Rectal)

Do not take mesalamine rectal by mouth. It is for use only in your rectum.
Tell your doctor if you have any type of kidney or liver disease, or if you are allergic to aspirin. You may not be able to use mesalamine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
This medication comes with patient instructions for using either the rectal suppository or the rectal enema. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Try to empty your bowel and bladder just before using the mesalamine suppository or enema. Try to use the medicine at a time when you can lie down afterward and hold the medicine in. Avoid using the bathroom during this time. It may be best to use this medicine at bedtime.
Remove the outer wrapper from the suppository before inserting it. Avoid handling the suppository too long or it will melt in your hands.
Shake the rectal enema liquid well just before each use.
The rectal enema liquid may darken in color after it has been removed from the foil pouch. This should not affect the medicine. However, throw away any enema liquid that has turned dark brown.
Stop using mesalamine and call your doctor at once if you have severe stomach pain, cramping, fever, headache, and bloody diarrhea.
Avoid getting the rectal suppositories or enema liquid on clothing, flooring, painted surfaces, vinyl, marble, granite, and other surfaces. Mesalamine rectal products may stain surfaces.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Mesalamine?

Mesalamine (Oral)

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to mesalamine or to aspirin or other salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doan’s Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others).
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take mesalamine:

• a stomach condition called pyloric stenosis
• a history of allergy to sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
• a heart condition such as congestive heart failure
• kidney disease; or
• liver disease

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Mesalamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Mesalamine (Rectal)

Tell your doctor if you have any type of kidney or liver disease, or if you are allergic to aspirin. You may not be able to use mesalamine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Mesalamine rectal can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Mesalamine Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Mesalamine?

Mesalamine (Oral)

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using mesalamine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• severe stomach pain, cramping, fever, headache, and bloody diarrhea

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, gas
• fever, sore throat, or other flu symptoms
• constipation
• headache or dizziness
• tired feeling; or
• skin rash

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Mesalamine (Rectal)

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using mesalamine rectal and call your doctor at once if you have severe stomach pain, cramping, fever, headache, and bloody diarrhea.
Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, gas
• fever, sore throat, or other flu symptoms
• rectal pain, constipation
• headache or dizziness
• tired feeling; or
• skin rash

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Mesalamine Interactions

What other drugs affect Mesalamine?

Mesalamine (Oral)

Before taking mesalamine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• azathioprine (Imuran) or mercaptopurine (Purinethol)
• pentamidine (Nebupent, Pentam)
• tacrolimus (Prograf)
• amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet)
• antibiotics such as capreomycin (Capastat), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled)
• antiviral medicines such as acyclovir (Zovirax), adefovir (Hepsera), cidofovir (Vistide), or foscarnet (Foscavir)
• cancer medicine such as aldesleukin (Proleukin), carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), cisplatin (Platinol), ifosfamide (Ifex), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), streptozocin (Zanosar), or tretinoin (Vesanoid); or
• aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic acid (Ponstel)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with mesalamine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Mesalamine (Rectal)

There may be other drugs that can interact with mesalamine rectal. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Mesalamine?

Mesalamine (Oral)

Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using mesalamine.

Mesalamine (Rectal)

Avoid getting the rectal suppositories or enema liquid on clothing, flooring, painted surfaces, vinyl, marble, granite, and other surfaces. Mesalamine rectal products may stain surfaces.

Mesalamine Dosage

How should I take Mesalamine?

Mesalamine (Oral)

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take mesalamine with a full glass of water.
Mesalamine can usually be taken with or without food. Follow your doctor’s instructions.
Mesalamine extended-release capsules(Lialda) should be taken with a meal.
Do not crush, break, or chew a mesalamine tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole.
The extended-release capsule is specially formulated to release the medicine after it has passed through your stomach into your intestines. Breaking the pill may cause the drug to be released too early in the digestive tract.
The enteric-coated tablet has a special coating to protect your stomach. Breaking the pill could damage this coating.
Call your doctor if you find undissolved tablets in your stool.
Store mesalamine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Mesalamine (Rectal)

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Mesalamine rectal comes with patient instructions for using either the rectal suppository or the rectal enema. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Do not take mesalamine rectal by mouth. It is for use only in your rectum.
Try to empty your bowel and bladder just before using the mesalamine suppository or enema. It may be best to use this medicine at bedtime.
Remove the outer wrapper from the suppository before inserting it. Avoid handling the suppository too long or it will melt in your hands.
For best results from the suppository, lie down after inserting it and hold in the suppository for one to three hours. The suppository will melt quickly once inserted and you should feel little or no discomfort while holding it in. Avoid using the bathroom during this time.
Shake the rectal enema liquid well just before each use.
For best results from the enema, stay lying down for at least 30 minutes after using the enema to allow the liquid to distribute throughout your intestines. Try to hold in the enema all night if possible. Avoid using the bathroom during this time.
The rectal enema liquid may darken in color after it has been removed from the foil pouch. This should not affect the medicine. However, throw away any enema liquid that has turned dark brown.
Store the rectal enema at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Store the rectal suppositories at cool room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not refrigerate or freeze them.

What happens if I overdose on Mesalamine?

Mesalamine (Oral)

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include ringing in your ears, dizziness, headache, confusion,
drowsiness, sweating, shortness of breath, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Mesalamine (Rectal)

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of mesalamine rectal is not expected to produce life-threatening symptoms.

What happens if I miss a dose of Mesalamine?

Mesalamine (Oral)

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Mesalamine (Rectal)

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Try to use the medicine at a time when you can lie down afterward and hold the medicine in. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com