Treats bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.
Brand Names:
Asacol, Pentasa
Contraindications:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to mesalamine or aspirin.
Uses:
Long Acting Capsule, Delayed Release Tablet, Coated Tablet, Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Swallow the tablet or capsule whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
If you see whole capsules or tablet parts in your bowel movements, tell your doctor.
Do not stop taking mesalamine unless your doctor tells you to.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Storage:
Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Special precautions:
Before taking, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease. tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking, call your doctor
Warnings:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
Side Effects:
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in face or hands, swelling or tingling in the mouth or throat, tightness in chest, trouble breathing
Bloody diarrhea
Fever, chills, sore throat
Severe stomach cramps, especially in the upper abdominal area
