This article describes possible interactions with mesalamine delayed-release oral tablet. “Delayed release” means the drug is released into your body after passing through your stomach.
Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Mesalamine comes as delayed-release (DR) tablets and extended-release (XR) capsules that you swallow. “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time. It’s also available in rectal forms.
Interactions of mesalamine may vary depending on the form of mesalamine you’re prescribed.
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Other drugs and mesalamine
The drugs in the list below may interact with mesalamine DR oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with mesalamine.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with mesalamine DR oral tablet include:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- azathioprine (Azasan, Imuran)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of blood disorders as a side effect of mesalamine or azathioprine
- clindamycin (Cleocin)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of kidney problems caused by mesalamine or clindamycin
- mercaptopurine (Purixan, Purinethol)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of blood disorders as a side effect of mesalamine or mercaptopurine
- porfimer (Photofrin)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of photosensitivity as a side effect of porfimer and mesalamine
- thioguanine
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of thioguanine (a drug used to treat certain types of leukemia)
- vancomycin (Firvanq, Vancocin)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of kidney problems caused by mesalamine or vancomycin
- verteporfin (Visudyne)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of photosensitivity as a side effect of verteporfin and mesalamine
- voclosporin (Lupkynis)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of kidney problems caused by mesalamine or voclosporin
- warfarin (Jantoven)
- what might happen: can increase or decrease the effect of warfarin
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When to avoid mesalamine
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with mesalamine DR oral tablet. Doctors may not prescribe mesalamine in these cases due to potential risks. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
The primary contraindication reported for mesalamine DR oral tablet is a past allergic reaction to mesalamine or other salicylates.
If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to mesalamine, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction. This also applies if you’ve had an allergic reaction to other salicylates, such as aspirin.
Before you start taking mesalamine, tell your doctor about any known or suspected drug allergies you have. They can recommend whether you should take mesalamine.
Alcohol and mesalamine
Mesalamine delayed-release oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
However, alcohol can worsen ulcerative colitis symptoms in some people. If this applies to you, drinking alcohol could make it seem as if mesalamine is not working or not working as well. (But alcohol doesn’t actually affect mesalamine or how it works.)
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking mesalamine DR oral tablet.
Other interactions and mesalamine
Interactions can occur with foods, supplements, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether mesalamine DR oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with mesalamine.
Mesalamine and food
Mesalamine DR oral tablet isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods to avoid when taking mesalamine DR oral tablet.
Mesalamine and supplements
Before taking mesalamine DR oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
If you have questions about potential supplement interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Mesalamine interactions with herbs
Mesalamine DR oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbs or using herbal products while taking mesalamine DR oral tablet.
Mesalamine interactions with vitamins
Mesalamine DR oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamins while taking mesalamine DR oral tablet.
Mesalamine and vaccines
Mesalamine DR oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking mesalamine DR oral tablet.
Mesalamine and lab tests
Mesalamine delayed-release oral tablet may interact with a urine test used to help detect whether you have a certain type of adrenal gland tumor called pheochromocytoma.
Taking mesalamine and having this test may lead to a false-positive test, suggesting a pheochromocytoma is present even if it actually isn’t.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any lab tests while taking mesalamine DR oral tablet.
Mesalamine and cannabis or CBD
Mesalamine DR oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with mesalamine.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and mesalamine
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with mesalamine DR oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking mesalamine, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether mesalamine DR oral tablet is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with mesalamine DR oral tablet:
Preventing mesalamine interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with mesalamine DR oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking mesalamine DR oral tablet.
Taking mesalamine exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about mesalamine and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- How do interactions of mesalamine DR oral tablet compare with those of mesalamine suppository or enema? Are they similar?
- Do other drugs that could treat my condition have similar interactions?
- Does my mesalamine dosage affect my risk of interactions?
- What should I do if I’m prescribed a medication that interacts with mesalamine during my treatment?
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.
