Mesalamine is an anti-inflammatory agent that is derived from salicylic acid. It is also known as Mesalazine, and is usually prescribed for the treatment of Crohn's disease (inflammation of the intestines) and ulcerative colitis (swelling or wearing away of the large intestine's lining).
Mesalamine works by halting the body's production of natural chemical substances which cause inflammation, diarrhea and tissue damage. It is a bowel-specific medication which is broken down within the digestive system, hence taking effect in that particular area only to minimize overall side effects.
Mesalamine is also used in the treatment of proctitis, an inflammation of the rectal lining, and proctosigmoiditis, which is characterized by the inflammation of the rectum and sigmoid colon.
Patients who are allergic to Mesalamine, aspirin or other salicylic drugs like Disalcid and Tricosal should refrain from taking this medication. They should also inform their doctor if they have a liver or kidney ailment, a heart condition, allergies to sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) medications, or stomach disorders such as pyloric stenosis (thickening of the pylorus muscle which causes vomiting). These conditions will necessitate a dosage adjustment or special diagnostic tests to determine the safety of taking Mesalamine.
The same is true for patients taking NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen, digoxin or naproxen, and other drugs used to treat ulcerative colitis such as balsalazide, sulfasalazine or olsalazine. Their Mesalamine dosage will need to be adjusted and their condition monitored for any possible side effects.
While the FDA has classified Mesalamine under Pregnancy category B, meaning not potentially harmful to the fetus, patients should still inform their doctor if they are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or become pregnant during the course of treatment. Likewise, patients should also let doctor their doctor know if they are breastfeeding as this medication can be excreted into breast milk and may cause adverse effects on the nursing infant.
Side effects of Mesalamine include headaches, stomach discomfort, indigestion, gas, nausea, diarrhea, acne, hair loss, swollen ankles or feet (edema), a generalized body ache, and excessive sweating. These side effects occur during the initial period of medication as the body adjusts to taking Mesalamine. They eventually subside after several days.
However, signs of an allergy will manifest themselves as rashes, hives or itching, dizziness, breathing difficulties, chest pain, black tarry stools, eye irritation or redness, fever or flu symptoms, uncommon weakness, and bloody diarrhea, urine or vomit. In these cases, the patient should immediately stop taking Mesalamine and call their doctor or get emergency medical assistance.
Mesalamine is sold under several brand names, namely Canasa, Asacol, Rowasa, Lialda and Pentasa. It is available in delayed-release tablets and controlled-release capsules for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, as well as suppositories and enemas that are used for conditions where the colon's lower part is inflamed.
Mesalamine in tablet and capsule form should be taken whole, and not crushed or broken down to prevent it from metabolizing prematurely, as this medication has been formulated to take effect only after it has traveled through the stomach and reached the intestines.
Mesalamine enemas are for insertion into the rectum once a day just before bedtime, while suppositories are administered twice a day and retained within the rectum from between 1 to 3 hours or more.
Mesalamine has the following structural formula:
• Molecular formula of mesalamine is C7H7NO3
• Chemical IUPAC Name is 5-amino-2-hydroxy-benzoic acid
• Molecular weight is 153.135 g/mol
• Mesalamine available : 400mg tablets
Brand name(s): Asacol, Asacolitin, Canasa, Claversal, Fisalamine, Lixacol, Mesalazine, Mesasal, Pentasa, Rowasa, Salofalk
Review published on: 25 June 2008
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