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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
| Contents of this page: | |
Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
In Canada--
Other commonly used names are 5-aminosalicylic acid , 5-ASA , and mesalazine .
Mesalamine (me-SAL-a-meen) is used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis. This medicine works inside the bowel by helping to reduce inflammation and other symptoms.
Mesalamine is available only with your doctor's prescription in the following dosage forms:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For mesalamine, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to mesalamine, olsalazine, sulfasalazine, or salicylates (e.g., aspirin). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy--Mesalamine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, mesalamine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.
Breast-feeding--It is not known whether mesalamine passes into the breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children--Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of mesalamine in children with use in other age groups.
Older adults--Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of mesalamine in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other medicines.
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of mesalamine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
For best results, empty your bowel just before using the rectal enema or suppository.
Keep using this medicine for the full time of treatment even if you begin to feel better after a few days. Do not miss any doses .
For patients using the enema form of this medicine:
For patients using the suppository form of this medicine:
Dosing--The dose of mesalamine may be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of mesalamine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Missed dose--If you miss a dose of mesalamine enema, use it as soon as possible if you remember it that same night. However, if you do not remember it until the next morning, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. If you miss a dose of mesalamine suppository, use it as soon as possible unless it is almost time for your next dose. Do not double doses.
Storage--To store this medicine:
It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits.
Check with your doctor if you notice rectal bleeding, blistering, pain, burning, itching, or other sign of irritation not present before you started using this medicine.
Mesalamine rectal enema may stain clothing, fabrics, painted surfaces, marble, granite, vinyl, or other surfaces it touches.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare
Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain (severe); anxiety; back pain (severe); bloody diarrhea; blue or pale skin; chest pain, possibly moving to the left arm, neck, or shoulder; chills; fast heartbeat; fever; headache (severe); nausea or vomiting; shortness of breath; skin rash; swelling of the stomach; unusual tiredness or weakness; yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain (mild); gas or flatulence; headache (mild); nausea
Less common or rare
Leg or joint pain; Loss of hair; rectal pain or irritation
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although this use is not included in product labeling, mesalamine may be used in patients who have had ulcerative colitis to prevent the condition from occurring again.
Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for this use.
Revised: 12/21/99
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