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Mesalazine (oral)

  • Not to be given to babies and small children.
  • Different brands of mesalazine have different uses.
  • Mesalazine is available as tablets, granules, suppositories, enemas and foam.
  • You will have a blood test to check your kidney function before starting mesalazine, and regularly thereafter.
  • Any unexplained bleeding, bruising, sore throat, raised temperature and tiredness should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.

About mesalazine (oral)

Type of medicine Aminosalicylate
Used for Mild to moderate acute exacerbations of ulcerative colitis
Maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis
For the maintenance of remission of Crohn's ileo-colitis
Also called Asacol® MR
Pentasa®
Salofalk®
Ipocol®
Mesren MR®
Mezavant XL®
Available as Enteric coated tablets/modified release tablets
Prolonged release granules
Foam enema/retention enema
Suppositories
Rectal foam

Mesalazine (oral) works by reducing inflammation of the large intestine and small intestine, therefore reducing symptoms.

Before taking mesalazine (oral)

Before taking mesalazine (oral) make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

  • If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
  • If you are suffering from a stomach ulcer.
  • If you have had problems with clotting of your blood.
  • If you suffer from liver or kidney problems.
  • If you are allergic to salicylates.

Your doctor will check your kidney function before you start your treatment and regularly thereafter.

How to take mesalazine (oral)

  • Mesalazine tablets should be swallowed whole and not chewed.
  • You should not take indigestion remedies at the same time of day as enteric-coated mesalazine because they affect the enteric-coating.
  • Granules should be placed on the tongue and washed down with orange juice or water, without chewing.

Getting the most from your treatment

  • It is best to stick to the same brand of mesalazine (oral).
  • If you are taking mesalazine for a long time, it is important to keep regular appointments with your doctor so that your progress can be checked. Depending on your progress your doctor may decide to do some blood tests to check your blood count. Your kidney function will usually be checked every 3 months for the first year, every 6 months for the next four years, then once yearly.

Can mesalazine (oral) cause problems

Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects, which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine What can I do if I experience this
Nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain Try taking your medication with food (if tablets/granules)
Unexplained bruising, bleeding, sore throat, temperature, tiredness See your doctor as soon as possible who will probably arrange for you to have a blood test

How to store mesalazine (oral)

  • Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
  • Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines


  • Keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children.
  • Make sure that the person prescribing this medicine knows about any other medicines that you are taking. This includes medicines you buy and herbal and homeopathic medicines.
  • If you buy any medicines check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
  • Before taking this medicine tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction after taking any medicine.
  • Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of this medicine go to the accident and emergency department of you local hospital at once. Always take the container with you, if possible, even if it is empty.
  • If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
  • Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
  • This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
  • Never keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you.
  • If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.
Comprehensive patient resources are available at www.patient.co.uk
© EMIS 2008 DocID:
1002		 DocRef:
dils2934		 Last Updated:
16 Aug 2007		 Date of Next Review:
15 Aug 2009		 Version:
23
Patient UK Current Health News




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PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

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