Mesalamine
About Mesalamine
Mesalamine is a prescription tablet used to treat and manage ulcerative colitis, a condition that causes swelling and sores in the lining of the colon and rectum. It helps to calm active inflammation during flare-ups and works to keep the swelling from coming back. By targeting the gut directly, it provides relief from painful symptoms and helps your bowel tissue heal.
For the best results, you must take Mesalamine consistently every day, even when you are feeling completely well. Your doctor may advise you to take this medicine with a meal or a glass of water, depending on the specific type of tablet you are prescribed. Making dietary adjustments, such as eating smaller portions and avoiding spicy or greasy foods, can also help support your digestive recovery alongside this treatment.
While taking this medicine, you might experience mild side effects like headaches, nausea, or light stomach discomfort. However, you must contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe abdominal cramps, fever, or a sudden increase in bloody diarrhoea. These serious symptoms require prompt medical evaluation to ensure your safety.
Do not take this if you have severe kidney or liver damage, or if you are allergic to aspirin or related pain relievers. Before you start taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have active liver issues, kidney problems, or skin conditions like eczema. Your healthcare provider will evaluate whether this treatment is safe for your specific health profile.
This medicine can interact with certain pain relievers, like ibuprofen, which can increase your risk of kidney damage. It is also important to talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you are an older adult, as your monitoring needs may differ.
Uses of Mesalamine
Medicinal Benefits
Mesalamine helps manage chronic inflammatory bowel conditions by reducing inflammation in the digestive tract and relieving troublesome bowel symptoms. With regular use, it helps improve bowel function, promotes healing, and supports long-term digestive health.
- Reduces Bowel Frequency: By controlling inflammation in the intestines, this medicine helps reduce the frequency of bowel movements, allowing you to regain better control over your daily routine.
- Relieves Abdominal Pain and Rectal Bleeding: This medicine helps ease abdominal cramping, diarrhoea, and rectal bleeding, providing relief while allowing the intestinal lining to heal.
- Promotes Healthy Bowel Function: By helping firm loose stools and reducing sudden bowel urgency, this medicine improves digestive comfort and daily quality of life.
- Supports Long-Term Gut Healing: Regular use helps promote healing of the intestinal lining, improving nutrient absorption and supporting better long-term digestive health.
Directions for Use
- Mesalamine can be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
- It is usually taken 3-4 times a day or as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow the whole Mesalamine with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Mesalamine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Headache
- Mild stomach pain, bloating, or excess gas
- Nausea or vomiting
- Mild diarrhoea
- Dizziness
Serious Side Effects (Consult a doctor right away):
- Severe stomach cramps, fever, headache, and bloody diarrhoea (signs of a sudden intolerance reaction)
- Signs of kidney problems, such as a change in the amount of urine you pass, or swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet
- Signs of liver damage, including yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe fatigue
- Severe skin reactions, such as a peeling rash, itching, or swelling of the face, lips, or throat
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check your stool regularly; if you notice whole or partially intact tablets in your bowel movements, contact your doctor as the medicine may not be absorbing properly.
- Your doctor will likely want to check your kidney health with simple blood and urine tests before and during your treatment.
- This medicine can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so be sure to wear high-factor sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors.
- Always inform any dentist or surgeon that you are taking this medication before undergoing any procedures.
Drug Interactions
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Taking Mesalamine with NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may increase the risk of kidney damage. Your doctor may monitor your kidney function, especially if you require prolonged treatment.
- Immune-Modifying Medicines: Combining Mesalamine with immune-modifying medicines, such as azathioprine, may increase the risk of serious blood disorders, including a reduction in blood cell counts. Your doctor may recommend regular blood tests to monitor your condition.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is unknown whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Mesalamine. However, as a precautionary measure, it is advisable not to take or limit alcohol.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorMesalamine should not be used in pregnancy unless necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorMesalamine should not be used in nursing mothers unless necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are a nursing mother.
Driving
safe if prescribedMesalamine usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
consult your doctorLimited information is available about using Mesalamine in patients with liver disease. Inform your doctor before taking Mesalamine if you have a history of liver disease
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor before taking Mesalamine if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Mesalamine should be used with extreme caution in patients with mild to moderate kidney impairment. It is recommended not to take Mesalamine if you have severe kidney impairment.
Children
cautionMesalamine is not recommended for use in children below 6 yeras of age as the safety and efficacy for this medicine is not established. For children above 6 years, the physician will recommed it if necessary.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep a detailed food journal to track what you eat and note any foods that seem to trigger your gut irritation, such as dairy, high-fat meals, or caffeine.
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated, especially if you are dealing with watery stools or diarrhoea.
- During active flare-ups, choose soft, low-fibre foods that are easier on your digestive tract, and switch back to high-fibre foods only when your symptoms have settled.
- Eat smaller meals more frequently throughout the day instead of three large meals to reduce stress on your digestive system.
Special Advise
- Blood and urine tests are recommended before and during the treatment with Mesalamine to monitor the functioning of the kidney, liver, and blood.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Ulcerative colitis: Ulcerative colitis is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the lining of the large intestine (colon) and produces ulcers on the lining of the colon, which may cause bleeding and discharge of pus and mucus. The common symptoms include bloody stools, stomach pain, rectal pain, diarrhoea, fever, or weight loss. Additionally, it may cause other problems such as joint pain or swelling, mouth sores, skin problems, decreased appetite, or nausea. The factors involved in causing ulcerative colitis include immune disorders, environmental factors like viruses, bacteria, or antigens, which may trigger the immune system, and genes inherited from the parent.
Crohn’s disease: Crohn’s disease is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from mouth to anus. But mostly occurs in the small intestine and large intestine. The symptoms include blood in stools, stomach cramps, tiredness, diarrhoea, fever, weight loss, or loss of appetite.
FAQs
Mesalamine is used to treat Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Mesalamine works by inhibiting the production of certain chemical substances, such as prostaglandins, that cause pain and swelling. Thus, it helps reduce inflammation (swelling) in the intestines and relieves stomach pain or bleeding symptoms.
You are not recommended to take Mesalamine with Ibuprofen as co-administration of these two medicines may increase the risk of kidney problems. However, please consult your doctor before taking Mesalamine with other medicines.
Yes, Mesalamine may cause kidney stones in some patients. It is not necessary for everyone taking Mesalamine to experience this side effect. However, if you notice blood in urine or pain in the sides of the stomach, please consult a doctor immediately. Drink adequate water while taking Mesalamine to prevent kidney stones.
Mesalamine should be used with caution in patients with stomach ulcers as it may increase the risk of worsening the condition. Therefore, please inform your doctor if you have a stomach ulcer before taking Mesalamine.
Some people may develop lactose intolerance (inability to digest lactose) when affected by Crohn's disease. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid dairy products if you have Crohn's disease as it may lead to adverse effects such as diarrhoea, stomach cramps, or stomach upset.
Yes, Mesalamine may cause diarrhoea as a common side effect. However, if the condition persists and worsens with fever, watery stools, or consistent stomach pain, please consult a doctor. Also, drink plenty of water while taking Mesalamine to prevent dehydration.
Do not discontinue Mesalamine without consulting your doctor. Discuss with your doctor first if you have any concerns as stopping Mesalamine might cause your symptoms to come back.
No, Mesalamine is not habit-forming and does not cause addiction.
It is unknown if alcohol interacts with Mesalamine. Please consult the doctor before drinking alcohol while taking Mesalamine.
Mesalamine might cause joint pain. Consult the doctor if you experience severe joint pain or if the condition persists.
Take Mesalamine 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Side effects of Mesalamine include diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or flatulence (gas). If the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
No, you must swallow the tablets whole. Crushing or breaking them destroys the protective coating that ensures the medicine reaches your colon safely. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have trouble swallowing tablets.
There is currently no permanent cure for ulcerative colitis, but Mesalamine is highly effective at managing the condition, reducing flare-ups, and helping you live symptom-free. Talk to your doctor about your long-term treatment plan.
If you occasionally see what looks like an empty tablet shell, this may just be the outer coating passing through. However, if you see whole, undissolved tablets regularly, the medicine may not be absorbing properly. Talk to your doctor.
You should avoid taking aspirin or other salicylates while on this medicine unless specifically directed by your healthcare provider, as they belong to a similar family of drugs and can increase side effects. Talk to your doctor.
Hair loss is a very rare side effect reported by a small number of people taking this type of medication, though it is often linked to the underlying inflammatory bowel disease itself. Talk to your doctor if you notice unusual hair thinning.
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