About mesalamine
Aminosalicylate anti-inflammatory
Used for
- Treats mild to moderate ulcerative colitis
- Helps maintain remission of ulcerative colitis
Usual adult dose
Usually 2–4 g once daily for active disease; 2 g once daily for maintenance. Dose depends on the product and condition.
Usual dose in children
For children aged 6 years and older, usually 30–50 mg/kg daily in divided doses; specialist guidance is needed.
Common side effects
- Headache
- Nausea or abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Rash
Important warnings
- Rare kidney inflammation; kidney function should be monitored.
- Seek urgent assessment for severe rash, breathing difficulty, or facial swelling.
- Stop and seek medical review if severe abdominal pain, fever, or bloody diarrhoea develops.
- Avoid if allergic to mesalazine or salicylates.
Pregnancy
Use only when clinically needed; treatment decisions should be made with a clinician.
Breastfeeding
Small amounts enter breast milk. Monitor infants for diarrhoea; seek clinical advice if it occurs.
Interactions
- Azathioprine or mercaptopurine: may increase blood-cell disorder risk.
- Warfarin: mesalazine may affect anticoagulant control.
- Other medicines that can affect the kidneys may increase kidney-related risks.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.