Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: MESALAMINE (me-SAL-a-meen)
This medicine is a 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) used for treating and causing remission of various forms of mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking probenecid or sulfinpyrazone. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking salicylates (eg, aspirin); carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (eg, acetazolamide); meglitinide antidiabetics (eg, repaglinide); sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide); valproic acid; angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril); anticoagulants (eg, warfarin); or beta-blockers (eg, propranolol). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including a history of kidney problems; liver problems; Kawasaki syndrome; the flu; chickenpox; a rheumatic (inflammatory) disease (eg, osteoarthritis); allergies to medicines (eg, sulfasalazine, aspirin), foods, or other substances; pregnancy; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have had a stroke; bleeding in the brain; or an aneurysm. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you are younger than 18 years of age and you have the flu or chickenpox or you have received a live vaccine (eg, varicella, influenza) within the past 6 weeks. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. TAKE THIS MEDICINE with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food or milk to reduce stomach irritation. SWALLOW THIS MEDICINE WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. STORE THIS MEDICINE at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine or to salicylates (eg, aspirin). DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE without checking with your doctor. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. SOME PATIENTS MAY EXPERIENCE AN INTOLERANCE REACTION to this medicine. Signs of intolerance are very similar to symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. They may include severe or persistent stomach pain or cramping, bloody diarrhea, fever, headache or rash. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away. SALICYLATES HAVE BEEN LINKED to a serious illness called Reye syndrome. DO NOT GIVE THIS MEDICINE to a child or teenager who has the flu, chickenpox, or a viral infection. Contact your doctor with any questions or concerns. LAB TESTS, including kidney function, liver function, or complete blood cell counts, may be performed to monitor your condition or check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LAB APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. THIS MEDICINE IS FOUND in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you use this medicine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include diarrhea; headache; heartburn; mild abdominal discomfort or pain; nausea; or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience blood in the urine; bloody diarrhea; bloody or coffee ground-like vomit; change in amount of urine; dark urine; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; severe or persistent headache; severe or sudden stomach pain or cramping; sudden shortness of breath; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; fast or difficult breathing; fever; headache; hearing loss; ringing in the ears; seizures; sweating; vomiting of blood; or weakness.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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