MESALAZINE

The U.S. FDA approved mesalazine on January 16, 2007. Mesalazine is an anti-inflammatory medication belonging to the aminosalicylate class of drugs.

Mesalazine is used to treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s ileocolitis. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's ileocolitis are inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Ulcerative colitis mainly inflames the colon and rectum, causing diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Crohn's ileocolitis affects the small intestine and colon, involving deeper layers of the intestinal wall and leading to abdominal pain, weight loss, and complications.

Take the Mesalazine as your physician advises. Do not crush, chew, or open the medicine. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. Only stop taking the tablet if your doctor advises you to stop.

The most common side effects of Mesalazine are diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, indigestion, bloating, and muscle pain. Serious side effects while taking Mesalazine are unexpected nose bleeds, bleeding gums, bruising more easily, problems with kidney function, a skin rash with flaking, boils, or sore lips, fever, sore throat, mouth or lip ulcers, spots underneath the skin, and swollen ankles.

Do not take Mesalazine if you are allergic to Mesalazine, aspirin, salicylate, or any of its ingredients. Do not take this medicine if you have severe kidney disease or blood abnormalities while taking other medicines, such as sulphasalazine. This medicine is not for use in children under the age of 2. Inform your doctor if you have or have had a history of severe skin rash or skin peeling, blistering, and mouth sore.

Before initiating Mesalazine treatment, your kidney and blood function will be assessed through tests. Your doctor will periodically monitor your liver, kidney, and blood health using blood and urine samples throughout your treatment. This medicine may lead to kidney stones, which could cause abdominal pain and blood in urine. Ensure proper hydration during the treatment.

Follow the dosage and usage instructions provided by your doctor. Inform your doctor of any known allergies or existing medical conditions before taking Mesalazine. Do not use this medicine if you have kidney disease. Before beginning treatment, inform your doctor if you have liver disease, as Mesalazine is used with caution in such conditions. If you experience unexpected or severe side effects, including allergic reactions, seek immediate medical attention. Inform your healthcare professional about any other medications or supplements you are taking to prevent potential drug interactions. Contact your doctor with any concerns about your treatment.

AbbVie Lt, Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC), [Revised on May 2023] [Accessed on 31st August 2023]. Actavis Pharma, Inc., US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on Sept 2015] [Accessed on 31st August 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/204412s006lbl.pdf KD Tripathi, Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs and Antipyretic-Analgesics, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, 8th Edition, 2019, 209-226.