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Mesalamine

This form:

Pronounced

"mess-AL-uh-meen"

Common brand names:

Asacol

Uses

This medication is used to treat a certain bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). It helps to reduce symptoms of ulcerative colitis such as diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and stomach pain. Mesalamine belongs to a class of drugs known as aminosalicylates. It works by decreasing swelling in the colon.

Other Uses

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This drug may also be used for Crohn's disease.

How to Use This Medication

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 3 times daily. Some brands should be taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details for your particular brand.

Swallow this medication whole. Do not crush, chew, or break. Doing so can keep the drug from being released properly into the colon.

Drink plenty of fluids during treatment with this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor. This will help prevent kidney stones.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Children's dosage is also based on weight. Different brands of this medication deliver different amounts of medication. Do not switch brands without your doctor's permission and directions.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

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RxAnswers™ is a copyrighted combined product from TraceGains and First DataBank, Inc.

Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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Information expires December 2025.