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Mesalamine DR Coupon - Mesalamine DR 1.2g tablet

mesalamine DR

Generic Apriso
Used for Ulcerative Colitis

Mesalamine is used to help with an inflammatory bowel disease called ulcerative colitis (UC). It helps relieve symptoms of mild or moderate UC, such as stomach pain, diarrhea, and gut inflammation. This medication can also be used to maintain remission (prevent UC flare-ups) in adults. There are many brand names for mesalamine on the market, and they all have lower-cost generics available. The dosage depends on the brand and formulation of mesalamine you have. In general, this medication can cause side effects like headache and indigestion.

Reviewed by:
reviewerCydnee Ng, PharmD
reviewerKristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on August 28, 2023
basics-icon

What is Mesalamine?

What is Mesalamine used for?

  • Ulcerative colitis (UC)

How Mesalamine works

Mesalamine is an aminosalicylate. It's unclear how mesalamine exactly works. But it appears to work inside the bowels (gut) to lower gut inflammation, which helps relieve symptoms of UC.

When does Mesalamine start working?Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
Initial effect
MONTHS
Full effect

Drug facts

Common BrandsApriso, Asacol HD, Delzicol, Pentasa
Drug ClassAminosalicylate
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
side-effects-icon

Side effects of Mesalamine

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Headache
  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion

Less Common Side Effects

  • Belching or burping
  • Loss of appetite
  • Constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Gas
  • Dizziness
  • Back pain
  • Rash
  • Symptoms of common cold or other upper respiratory infection

Mesalamine serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Worsening UC symptoms
  • Kidney problems (including kidney stones): trouble urinating, change in how much you urinate, blood in the urine, back or side pain, fever, chills
  • Liver problems: yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, stomach pain, tiredness
  • Allergic reaction: rash; hives; itchy skin; difficulty breathing; swelling of face, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Severe skin reaction: hives, discolored patches of skin, peeling skin, blisters; with or without fever or body aches

Source: DailyMed

The following Mesalamine side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Bloody diarrhea

rectal bleeding

stomach pain

Less common

Bloody stools

bloody urine

blurred vision

chest tightness

chills

clay-colored stools

cough

dark urine

diarrhea

difficulty with breathing

dizziness

fever

full or bloated feeling

general feeling of discomfort or illness

headache

itching, skin rash

joint pain

loss of appetite

muscle aches and pains

nausea

nervousness

pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones

pounding in the ears

pressure in the stomach

runny or stuffy nose

shivering

slow or fast heartbeat

sore throat

stomach cramps

sweating

swelling of the stomach area

trouble sleeping

unpleasant breath odor

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

vomiting of blood

yellow eyes or skin

Rare

Anxiety

back pain

blue or pale skin

chest pain, possibly moving to the left arm, neck, or shoulder

Incidence not known

Black, tarry stools

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

bloating

change in the ability to see colors, especially blue or yellow

chest discomfort

constipation

decreased frequency or amount of urine

dry cough

greatly increased frequency of urination or amount of urine

hives or welts

hoarseness

inability to move the arms and legs

increased thirst

indigestion

large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals

light-colored stools

lower back or side pain

muscle weakness, sudden and progressing

pain in the ankles or knees

painful or difficult urination

painful, red lumps under the skin, mostly on the legs

rapid breathing

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

severe nausea or vomiting

sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

stomach tenderness

sudden numbness and weakness in the arms and legs

swelling of the feet or lower legs

swollen or painful glands

thickening of bronchial secretions

unusual bleeding or bruising

weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Sneezing

Less common

Acne

belching

continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

difficulty with moving

dizziness or lightheadedness

excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

hair loss or thinning of the hair

hearing loss

heartburn

muscle stiffness

passing gas

sensation of spinning

stomach discomfort or upset

Incidence not known

Burning, numbness, tingling, or painful sensations

unsteadiness or awkwardness

weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

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pros-and-cons-icon

Pros and cons of Mesalamine

Pros

  • Easy to take since it's a pill that's swallowed
  • Generally mild side effects
  • A first-choice option for preventing flare-ups in adults with mild UC
  • Lower-cost generics available

Cons

  • Typically need to take a few pills for each dose
  • Can take a few weeks before you start to feel the effects
  • Might cause kidney stones and make your skin more sensitive to the sun
  • Might not be the best option for people with liver problems
pharmacist-tips-icon

Pharmacist tips for Mesalamine

pharmacist

Tips for all generics and brands of mesalamine:

  • Swallow the tablets or capsules whole. Don't cut, crush, break, or chew them. If you have trouble swallowing, ask your healthcare provider for specific recommendations for the oral mesalamine form you have (or refer to the tips for each form below).
  • Drink plenty of fluids while you're taking mesalamine to prevent kidney stones. Contact your provider if you experience any signs or symptoms of a kidney stone (e.g., severe side or back pain, blood in urine).
  • Your skin can become more sensitive to sunlight and you might get sunburns more easily while you're taking mesalamine. Make sure to avoid direct sun exposure, wear protective clothing, and apply sunscreen when you're outside.
  • If you're switching between different oral mesalamine products, stop taking your previous mesalamine medications and take your new mesalamine prescription as instructed by your provider. Different forms of oral mesalamine have different instructions.
  • Don't substitute different mesalamine products with one another without first checking with your provider. Many formulations aren't the same. For example, one 800 mg mesalamine delayed-release tablet can't be substituted with two 400 mg mesalamine delayed-release capsules.

Tips for Apriso and its generic extended-release capsule:

  • Take the medication with or without food.
  • Avoid taking this medication with any antacids to make sure that you get the full benefit of your dose. Antacids can affect how well mesalamine gets absorbed into your body.

Tips for Asacol HD and its generic delayed-release tablet:

  • Take the medication on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before and 2 hours after a meal.
  • You might see parts of the tablet in your stool. Talk to your provider if this happens a lot.
  • Always close the bottle tightly to protect the tablets from moisture. Keep the medication at room temperature in a dry place.

Tips for Delzicol and its generic delayed-release capsule:

  • Take the medication with or without food.
  • If you're having trouble swallowing the capsules, you can open the capsules and swallow the small tablets that are inside individually (each capsule contains four 100 mg tablets). Make sure to swallow the tablets whole; don't cut, break, crush, or chew them.
  • You might see parts of the tablets in your stool. Talk to your provider if you notice that this happens a lot.
  • Keep the container closed tightly to protect the capsules from any moisture. Don't take the drying pouches out of the bottle.

Tips for Pentasa brand and its generic extended-release capsule:

  • Take the medication with or without food.
  • If you have trouble swallowing the capsules, you can open them and sprinkle the beads that are inside onto applesauce or yogurt. Once the beads are sprinkled on top, eat the applesauce or yogurt right away. Don't crush or chew the beads.
faq-icon

Common questions about Mesalamine

The exact dosage and duration of your mesalamine treatment depends on your UC symptoms and how severe they are. It also varies depending on whether you're taking mesalamine to treat UC symptoms or prevent flare-ups. The dosing schedule will also depend on the formulation or brand of mesalamine that you're prescribed to take. For example, there are some situations where mesalamine is taken specifically for 6 or 8 weeks. But there are other times where you'll continue to take the medication for as long as it's helping your gut problem and as long as the side effects are tolerable. Discuss with your provider about your dosage and how long you should take mesalamine for your specific condition.

It can take a couple weeks for mesalamine to relieve your UC symptoms. In separate studies for different oral forms of mesalamine, people taking the medication had improvements in their UC symptoms after 6 or 8 weeks of treatment. Some people taking a higher dose of mesalamine might see results as soon as within 2 weeks of treatment. Because it can take a couple weeks to see improvements, don't get discouraged, and continue to take the medication as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Make sure to check in with your provider about your UC symptoms and whether mesalamine is helping.

In general, the best time you should take mesalamine is a time when it's easy for you to remember. Certain forms of mesalamine require you to take the medication once a day, three or four times a day, with meals, or without meals. For example, it's recommended to take Asacol HD delayed-release tablets three times a day on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). But Apriso extended-release capsules are taken once every morning with or without food. Check out the Pharmacist tips for more information on how to take each form or brand of mesalamine. Ask your pharmacist or provider to help you come up with a medication schedule that works best for you.

No, mesalamine isn't considered an immunosuppressant. It doesn't work by weakening the immune system to lower inflammation in the gut. Although mesalamine doesn't suppress the immune system, there are many other medications for UC that can. Some examples include corticosteroids and Humira (adalimumab).

No, mesalamine isn't a steroid. Instead, mesalamine is a type of medication called an aminosalicylate. Both steroids and aminosalicylates lower swelling and inflammation, but they work slightly differently in the body to do so.

Weight gain wasn't one of the reported side effects of mesalamine in clinical studies. Keep in mind that some people did report swelling of the body (possibly from fluid buildup in the body), which could appear as weight gain. Talk to your provider if you experience unexpected weight gain while you're taking mesalamine. They can help figure out what might be causing your change in weight.

You should generally avoid taking mesalamine with azathioprine (Imuran), mercaptopurine, or other medications that can cause blood problems; there might be a higher risk for blood problems if you take them together. Additionally, it's best not to take medications that can harm the kidneys, like nonsteroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Taking mesalamine with these medications might raise your risk for kidney problems. For Apriso extended-release capsules, avoid taking the medication with antacids because they can affect how well mesalamine gets absorbed into your body. Make sure your providers and pharmacists have your up-to-date medication list so they can check for drug interactions and recommend safer medications for you to take.

Many providers often prescribe mesalamine to treat the inflammatory bowel disease called Crohn's disease (CD), even though it isn't FDA-approved for this purpose. This is known as an "off-label" use of mesalamine. Using mesalamine for Crohn's is controversial because studies haven't consistently found that the medication helps treat the gut condition well in most cases. In fact, the American College of Gastroenterology guidelines don't recommend using mesalamine to treat adults with active Crohn's disease. Ask your healthcare provider whether mesalamine is right for you if you have Crohn's disease.

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Risks and warnings for Mesalamine

Mesalamine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Kidney problems, including kidney stones

  • Risk factors: Current or history of kidney problems | Taking medications that can harm the kidneys

Some people taking mesalamine developed kidney problems during treatment. These problems can include kidney stones, kidney damage, and sometimes even kidney failure. Your risk for kidney damage is higher if you have a history of kidney problems or if you're taking other medications that can harm the kidneys, such as nonsteroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Let your healthcare provider know about your medical history and all the medications you take or plan to take.

Your provider will check your kidney function through blood work before you start mesalamine and periodically throughout treatment. Make sure to drink enough fluids each day to prevent kidney stones. Contact your provider if you have trouble urinating, notice a change in how much you urinate, have blood in the urine, or feel back or side pain. These can be signs of kidney problems.

Abnormal reaction to mesalamine

Some people can have an abnormal reaction to mesalamine called acute intolerance syndrome. This reaction can be hard to tell apart from a flare-up of UC. Symptoms include stomach cramping or pain, bloody diarrhea, and sometimes fever, headache, and rash. Let your healthcare provider know if you notice these symptoms. You might need to stop treatment with mesalamine to help these symptoms go away.

Liver problems

  • Risk factors: Current or history of liver problems

While uncommon, some people taking mesalamine developed liver problems during treatment. In addition, some people who already had liver problems later had liver failure after they started taking mesalamine. Let your healthcare provider know if you have liver problems before starting this medication so they can discuss the risks and benefits with you. Contact your provider right away if you notice signs of liver problems, like yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, tiredness, or right-sided stomach pain, during treatment with mesalamine.

Allergic reactions and severe skin reactions

  • Risk factors: Previous allergic reaction to sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)

Though rare, it's possible to have an allergic reaction to mesalamine. These reactions can be serious and sometimes life-threatening. Allergic reactions can make it difficult to breathe, cause a severe rash, or even affect some of your organs (e.g., heart, liver, kidneys). Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as itchiness; hives; shortness of breath; chest tightness; and swelling of your lips, tongue, face, or eyes.

Mesalamine can also possibly cause severe skin reactions to happen. Stop taking mesalamine and seek emergency medical help as soon as possible if you experience rash, discolored patches of skin, skin peeling, blisters, or painful mouth sores. Sometimes, these skin reactions can happen along with fever and body aches.

Iron content in certain tablets and capsules of mesalamine

Some tablet and capsule forms of mesalamine have coatings that contain iron oxide for coloring. Tell your healthcare provider if you take or plan to take any iron supplementation (by mouth or by infusion through the vein) or if you have medical conditions that raise your risk for too much iron in your body. To avoid the harmful effects of taking too much iron, your provider should discuss with you about being aware of all your sources of iron.

Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (for Apriso extended-release capsules only)

The Apriso extended-release capsules contain phenylalanine. This ingredient can be harmful for people with a genetic condition called phenylketonuria (PKU). Talk to your healthcare provider if you have PKU so they can prescribe a different version of mesalamine that's safer for you.

dosage-icon

Mesalamine dosage

The average cost for 60 tablets of 1.2g of Mesalamine is $55.37 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 66.77% off the average retail price of $166.64.
capsuleCapsule
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
400mg180 capsules$188.63$1.05
tabletTablet
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
800mg90 tablets$216.71$2.41
1.2g60 tablets$55.37$0.92

Typical dosage for Mesalamine

Each oral form and brand of mesalamine has specific dosing instructions. Make sure to read your dosing instructions carefully, and refer to the Pharmacist tips for more information about how to take the mesalamine form you have.

Treatment of mild or moderate UC

Asacol HD and its generics (delayed-release tablet):

  • Adults: The typical dose is 1,600 mg (two 800 mg tablets) by mouth three times a day for 6 weeks.

Delzicol and its generics (delayed-release capsule):

  • Adults: The typical dose is 800 mg (two 400 mg capsules) by mouth three times a day. You'll typically take the medication for 6 weeks.
  • Children 5 years or older weighing 37 lbs to 198 lbs: The provider will determine the dose based on your child's body weight. The medication is taken by mouth twice a day for 6 weeks. The maximum daily dosage ranges from 1.2 to 2.4 grams per day.

Pentasa and its generics (extended-release capsule):

  • Adults: The typical dose is 1 gram (four 250 mg capsules or two 500 mg capsules) by mouth four times a day. You'll typically take the medication for up to 8 weeks.

Maintenance of remission of UC

Apriso and its generics (extended-release capsule):

  • Adults: The typical dose is 1.5 grams (four 0.375 gram capsules) by mouth once a day in the morning.

Delzicol and its generics (delayed-release capsule):

  • Adults: The typical dose is 1,600 mg (four 400 mg capsules) by mouth per day. The total daily dose is separated into 2 to 4 doses during the day.
interactions-icon

Interactions between Mesalamine and other drugs

Mesalamine may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Mesalamine. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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contraindications-icon

Mesalamine contraindications

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Mesalamine will not be safe for you to take.

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What are alternatives to Mesalamine?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Mesalamine. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Mesalamine
Used for:
  • Ulcerative colitis (UC)
$55.37Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
$88.77Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
  • Ulcerative colitis (UC) - immediate-release and delayed release tablets
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - delayed-release tablets only
  • Polyarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis - delayed-release tablets only
$13.70Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
latest-news-icon

News about Mesalamine

Asacol side effects can include dizziness, rash, headache, and cold symptoms like a sore throat. Learn how to manage the most common and rare side effects here.
8 Asacol HD Side Effects You Should Know About
Asacol side effects can include dizziness, rash, headache, and cold symptoms like a sore throat. Learn how to manage the most common and rare side effects here.
If you have ulcerative colitis, you have treatment options. But should you take Asacol HD, Lialda, or Delzicol for your symptoms? See how their cost and side effects compare here.
Asacol HD, Lialda, and Delzicol for Ulcerative Colitis: What’s the Difference?
If you have ulcerative colitis, you have treatment options. But should you take Asacol HD, Lialda, or Delzicol for your symptoms? See how their cost and side effects compare here.
Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, can burden patients with costs for medications and doctor’s visits. Many with the illness also lose several hundred dollars per year from missed work. Surgery and related conditions can add thousands more to the price tag for managing Crohn’s.
The True Cost of Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, can burden patients with costs for medications and doctor’s visits. Many with the illness also lose several hundred dollars per year from missed work. Surgery and related conditions can add thousands more to the price tag for managing Crohn’s.
Picture this: You go to the pharmacy to pick up a generic medication (the affordable version of a brand drug that your doctor swore would be affordable), only to be quoted over $1,000 for a 30-day supply.
Here’s How to Save As Much As $2000 on Your Prescriptions With GoodRx
Picture this: You go to the pharmacy to pick up a generic medication (the affordable version of a brand drug that your doctor swore would be affordable), only to be quoted over $1,000 for a 30-day supply.
Brand-only drugs like Restasis, Eliquis and Lyrica can cost over $500 for a month’s supply, and they don’t have cheaper generic alternatives (yet). FDA drug approval initiatives will hopefully bring many generics to the market soon. In fact, 40+ expensive brand drugs are expected to go generic in the next five years.
43 Drugs Going Generic in the Next 5 Years (2018-2022)
Brand-only drugs like Restasis, Eliquis and Lyrica can cost over $500 for a month’s supply, and they don’t have cheaper generic alternatives (yet). FDA drug approval initiatives will hopefully bring many generics to the market soon. In fact, 40+ expensive brand drugs are expected to go generic in the next five years.
images-icon

Mesalamine images

Tan Oval M1200 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet
This medicine is Tan, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "M1200".Tan Oval M1200 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet
Red Oval S1 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet
This medicine is Red, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "S1".Red Oval S1 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet
Red-Brown Oval Wpi 2245 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet
This medicine is Red-Brown, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "Wpi 2245".Red-Brown Oval Wpi 2245 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet
Red-Brown Oval 711 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet
This medicine is Red-Brown, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "711".Red-Brown Oval 711 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet
Red-Brown Oval M19 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet
This medicine is Red-Brown, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "M19".Red-Brown Oval M19 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet
Red-Brown Oval S476 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet
This medicine is Red-Brown, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "S476".Red-Brown Oval S476 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet
Red-Brown Oval Rg70 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet
This medicine is Red-Brown, Oval Tablet Imprinted With "Rg70".Red-Brown Oval Rg70 - Mesalamine 1.2g Delayed-Release Tablet

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References

Best studies we found

Allergan, Inc. (2022). Asacol HD- mesalamine tablet, delayed release [package insert]. DailyMed.

Allergan, Inc. (2023). Delzicol- mesalamine capsule, delayed release [package insert]. DailyMed.

Gordon, M. (2017). 5-Aminosalicylates to maintain remission in Crohn's disease: Interpreting conflicting systematic review evidence. World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pharmacology and Therapeutics.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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