Mesalamine

Generic name: mesalamine (oral) [ me-SAL-a-meen ]
Brand names: Apriso, Asacol HD, Delzicol, Lialda, Pentasa
Dosage forms: oral capsule, extended release (0.375 g; 250 mg; 500 mg); oral delayed release capsule (400 mg); oral delayed release tablet (1.2 g; 800 mg)
Drug class:5-aminosalicylates

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Feb 26, 2021. Written by Cerner Multum.

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.

Warnings

Stop using mesalamine and call your doctor at once if you have severe stomach pain, stomach cramping, bloody diarrhea (may occur with fever, headache, and skin rash).

Before taking this medicine

You should not use mesalamine if you are allergic to mesalamine, aspirin, sulfasalazine, or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doans Pills, Dolobid, Kaopectate, NuprinBackache, Pepto-Bismol, Tr...