U.S. Brand Names

Asacol®; Canasa®; Lialda™; Pentasa®; Rowasa®

Canadian Brand Names

Asacol®; Asacol® 800; Mesasal®; Mezavant®; Novo-5 ASA; Pendo-5 ASA; Pentasa®; Quintasa®; Rowasa®; Salofalk®

Mexican Brand Names

Asacol

Pharmacologic Category

5-Aminosalicylic Acid Derivative

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to mesalamine, salicylates, sulfasalazine, or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat mild to moderate disease at the far end of the colon.

• This medicine is used to treat ulcerative colitis.

How does it work?

• Mesalamine reduces irritation and inflammation.

How is it best taken?

• Use prescription as directed, even if feeling better.

• Mezavant® and Lialda™: Take with a meal.

• Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

• Swallow tablet or capsule whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

• Use suppository or suspension rectally.

• Shake suspension well before use.

• Keep suspension in rectum as long as possible.

• Take foil off rectal suppository and insert pointed end first. Do not handle too much. Keep in rectum for at least 3 hours.

• You could be on both a tablet or capsule and a rectal product at the same time.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• If you have a sulfite allergy, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you are taking a blood thinner, you will require more frequent monitoring.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have an inflamed pancreas, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have an inflamed sac around the heart, talk with healthcare provider.

• If you have ulcer disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• The rectal medicine can stain fabric, flooring, painted surfaces, marble, granite, vinyl, and enamel.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Belly pain.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

• Headache.

• Sore throat.

• Liver damage can rarely occur.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood work (kidney function). Talk with healthcare provider.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe belly pain or bloody diarrhea.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Chest pain or pressure.

• If you see tablet bits in the stool.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

Oral:

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

Rectal:

• Store rectal suspension in foil until ready to use. Do not refrigerate.

• Protect rectal suspension from heat.

• Protect rectal suspension from light.

• Do not use if suspension changes color.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 14:06:06.0

Modified: 2008-03-14 09:01:24.0

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