Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved mesalamine oral tablet to treat mild to moderate active UC in adults:
- to induce remission (help symptoms improve or go away)
- to maintain remission (help symptoms stay away)
This article describes possible side effects of mesalamine oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for mesalamine.
Mesalamine oral tablet is a delayed-release* medication. It’s a generic version of the brand-name drug Lialda. Mesalamine also comes in delayed-release capsule and extended-release† capsule forms that you take by mouth. It’s also available as a suppository and suspension that are given rectally. These forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
* “Delayed release” means the drug is released into your body after it passes through your stomach.
† “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.
More common side effects of mesalamine
Mesalamine oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of mesalamine oral tablet include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of mesalamine in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of mesalamine
Mesalamine may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of mesalamine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of mesalamine in detail” section below.
Mesalamine oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of mesalamine
Mesalamine may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from mesalamine oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911, or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with mesalamine oral tablet.
Serious side effects of mesalamine oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of mesalamine in detail” section below.
Common questions about side effects of mesalamine
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of mesalamine oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is mesalamine a steroid? Does it cause side effects similar to steroid medications?
No, mesalamine is not a steroid medication. It belongs to the aminosalicylate group of drugs. Certain steroid medications, such as prednisone, may also be prescribed to manage symptoms of ulcerative colitis (UC).
Mesalamine and steroid medications treat UC symptoms by reducing inflammation in your bowels. But these medications work in different ways.
Mesalamine and steroid medications have some similar side effects. These include:
But they also have different side effects. Keep in mind, how your body reacts to a particular medication depends on several factors. Examples include your overall health, age, and any other medications you may be taking.
If your doctor prescribes a steroid medication, they’ll discuss possible side effects of the drug.
Does mesalamine cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases mesalamine oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time. They also may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects include:
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of mesalamine may last.
Will I experience certain side effects when stopping mesalamine?
It’s possible in rare cases. For example, you may experience a flare-up or worsening of your ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms when you stop taking mesalamine. Based on the reason you’ve stopped taking mesalamine, your doctor will discuss options to manage your condition.
If you experience side effects after stopping mesalamine, tell your doctor. They can recommend ways to manage the side effects.
Can mesalamine cause weight gain?
No, weight gain was not reported as a side effect in studies of the drug. But you may experience some weight gain if your ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms improve with mesalamine treatment. This is the condition the drug treats.
UC can cause malnutrition, which may lead to having a low body weight. So, reducing your UC symptoms with mesalamine treatment may help you reach a weight that’s healthy for you.
If you’re concerned about weight gain, talk with your doctor. They can discuss ways to help you manage your weight while treating your condition.
Coupon for mesalamine
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for mesalamine when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Side effects of mesalamine in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of mesalamine oral tablet.
Fatigue
Fatigue (low energy) was reported in studies of mesalamine oral tablet. But it was a less common side effect of the drug. This side effect is usually mild and should go away with continued treatment with mesalamine.
Certain factors can increase the risk of fatigue with mesalamine oral tablet. For example, ulcerative colitis (UC) can cause malnutrition, which can cause fatigue. (Keep in mind that this drug is used to treat UC.) UC may also cause low red blood cell levels, which can lead to fatigue.
Fatigue may also be a symptom of kidney problems in some cases. And kidney problems are a possible side effect of this drug.
Ways to manage
If you have fatigue while taking mesalamine, tell your doctor. They can determine possible causes of fatigue. In some cases, they may order a blood test to check for low red blood cell levels.
Depending on the cause of your fatigue, your doctor will suggest ways to manage your symptoms. This could include following a nutritious diet.
If your fatigue is caused by kidney problems, your doctor will discuss whether mesalamine is safe for you to take.
Headache
In studies, headache was a common side effect reported in people taking mesalamine oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild.
Keep in mind that headache may be a symptom of another side effect of mesalamine, such as mesalamine acute intolerance syndrome. (With this condition, you may have a headache and other symptoms of a UC flare-up. This drug is used to treat UC.) Or a headache could be caused by other medications you’re taking.
Ways to manage
Tell your doctor if you experience a headache with mesalamine that’s bothersome or doesn’t go away. They can suggest ways to manage a headache while you’re taking mesalamine.
Do not take over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen for headache without checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause kidney problems. Taking them with mesalamine may increase your risk for kidney problems.
Kidney problems
Kidney problems, including kidney failure in rare cases, were reported in people taking mesalamine. This side effect may be serious.
Kidney problems that were reported include:
Certain factors can increase the risk of kidney problems with mesalamine oral tablet. These include having kidney problems such as chronic kidney disease or taking other medications that affect your kidneys.
Symptoms of kidney problems may include:
Symptoms of kidney stones may include:
Ways to manage
Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before starting treatment with mesalamine. Your doctor may check your kidney function before you begin to take mesalamine. They’ll also monitor your kidneys while you’re taking the medication.
To help avoid kidney stones, drink plenty of fluids. If you notice symptoms of kidney problems, call your doctor. They can diagnose your condition and discuss how to manage it.
Allergic reaction
For some people, mesalamine oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to mesalamine oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for mesalamine
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking mesalamine oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take mesalamine oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether mesalamine oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking mesalamine oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include having:
Mesalamine and pregnancy
It’s not known whether mesalamine oral tablet is safe to take during pregnancy. However, it’s important to note that worsening ulcerative colitis (UC) symptoms during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature birth or low birth weight in infants. Keep in mind that mesalamine is used to treat UC.
If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking mesalamine. They can discuss the benefits and risks of the medication for you.
Mesalamine and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether mesalamine oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. Small amounts of the drug can pass into breast milk. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Mesalamine and alcohol
Mesalamine oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
However, drinking alcohol may worsen your ulcerative colitis symptoms, which the drug is used to treat. Drinking too much alcohol can also cause other side effects of mesalamine, such as headache or liver problems.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with mesalamine oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of mesalamine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my dose of mesalamine affect my risk for side effects?
- Will I have a higher risk of side effects from mesalamine if I’m also taking other medications for my condition?
- Are there other medications to help treat my condition if my body doesn’t tolerate the side effects of mesalamine?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
