Mesalamine (Oral Route)

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Proper Use

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor.

Keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. Do not miss any doses.

You should take the delayed-release tablets with food. All other brands of capsules and tablets can be taken with or without food.

Swallow the capsule or tablet whole. Do not open, break, crush, or chew it before swallowing.

Do not change to another brand without checking with your doctor. The number of capsules or tablets that you take depends on the brand and strength of the medicine. If you refill your medicine and it looks different, check with your pharmacist. One tablet of Asacol® HD 800 milligrams (mg) tablet may not work the same way as two Asacol® 400 mg tablets.

If you are taking the extended-release capsule or the delayed-release tablet, part of the capsule or tablet may pass into your stool after your body has absorbed the medicine. This is normal and nothing to worry about.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For the treatment of ulcerative colitis:
  • For long-acting oral dosage form (delayed-release tablets):
    • Adults:
      • For Asacol®: 800 milligrams (mg) (two 400 mg tablets) three times a day. For maintenance (long-term) treatment, 1600 mg per day in divided doses.
      • For Asacol® HD: 1600 milligrams (mg) (two 800 mg tablets) three times a day for 6 weeks.
      • For Lialda®: 2.4 to 4.8 grams (two to four tablets) once a day as a single dose with food.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For long-acting oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
    • Adults:
      • For Apriso™: 1.5 grams (four capsules) once a day as a single dose in the morning.
      • For Pentasa®: 1 gram (2 or 4 capsules) four times a day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For prevention of ulcerative colitis:
  • For long-acting oral dosage form (delayed-release tablets):
    • Adults—2.4 grams (two tablets) once a day as a single dose with food.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Store the delayed-release tablets in a tightly-closed container to protect them from moisture. Putting desiccant pouches in the container may also help to keep the tablets from getting moist.

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