mesalamine (oral)

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

What is mesalamine?

Mesalamine is used to treat mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. Mesalamine is also used to prevent the symptoms of ulcerative colitis from recurring.

Some brands of mesalamine are for use only in adults, and some brands are for use in children who are at least 5 years old.

Mesalamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a kidney stone or kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• a blockage in your stomach or intestines (such as pyloric stenosis); or
• a skin condition such as eczema.

Some forms of mesalamine contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether mesalamine will harm an unborn baby. However, having untreated or uncontrolled ulcerative colitis during pregnancy may cause complications such as low birth weight or premature birth. The benefit of treating ulcerative colitis may outweigh any risks to the baby.

How should I take mesalamine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using mesalamine.

You may take Apriso with or without food.

Other brands of mesalamine can be taken with or without food. Follow your doctor's instructions or the directions on your medicine label.

If you cannot swallow a Pentasa capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of yogurt or applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not save it for later use.

Tell your doctor if you find undissolved mesalamine tablets in your stool.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using mesalamine.

You may need frequent blood tests to check your blood cells or kidney function.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking mesalamine?

Ask your doctor before using an antacid, and use only the type your doctor recommends. Some antacids can make it harder for your body to absorb mesalamine.

What are the possible side effects of mesalamine?

• severe stomach pain, stomach cramping, bloody diarrhea;
• fever, headache, general ill feeling;
• rash, itching, eye redness;
• bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• low white blood cell counts --fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, feeling light-headed, trouble breathing;
• signs of a kidney stone --severe pain in your side and back, frequent need to urinate, foul-smelling urine, dark or cloudy urine;
• kidney problems --increased or decreased urination, swelling, weight gain; or
• liver problems --loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Low white blood cell counts may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects may include:

• burping, constipation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, gas;
• dizziness;
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat;
• back pain;
• headache;
• rash; or
• abnormal liver function tests.

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.

What other drugs will affect mesalamine?

Mesalamine can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect mesalamine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about mesalamine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 14.01. Revision date: 2/26/2021.