mesalamine (oral) Health Article

Generic name(s):

mesalamine (oral)

Brand name(s):

mesalamine, Asacol, Lialda, Pentasa

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

Tell your doctor if you have any type of kidney or liver disease, or if you are allergic to aspirin. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take mesalamine. 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.

What is 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.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking 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 using mesalamine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• 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.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take mesalamine.

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.

How should I take 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.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

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.

What should I avoid while taking mesalamine oral?

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