Brand Names: Apriso, Asacol, Asacol HD, Lialda, Pentasa

Generic Name: mesalamine (oral) (Pronunciation: me SAL a meen)

• What is mesalamine oral (Pentasa)?
• What are the possible side effects of mesalamine oral (Pentasa)?
• What is the most important information I should know about mesalamine oral (Pentasa)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking mesalamine oral (Pentasa)?
• How should I take mesalamine oral (Pentasa)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Pentasa)?
• What happens if I overdose (Pentasa)?
• What should I avoid while taking mesalamine oral (Pentasa)?
• What other drugs will affect mesalamine oral (Pentasa)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is mesalamine oral (Pentasa)?

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.

Asacol 400 mg

oblong, red, imprinted with ASACOLNE

Pentasa 500 mg

blue, imprinted with PENTASA 500 mg, LOGO

What are the possible side effects of mesalamine oral (Pentasa)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using mesalamine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• severe stomach pain, cramping, fever, headache, and bloody diarrhea.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, gas;
• fever, sore throat, or other flu symptoms;
• constipation;
• headache or dizziness;
• tired feeling; or
• skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

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 you take mesalamine, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, a stomach condition called pyloric stenosis, a heart condition such as congestive heart failure, or a history of allergy to sulfasalazine (Azulfidine).

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.