Key takeaways
Lialda and Rowasa contain the same active ingredient mesalamine and are both used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) but they differ in their forms and how they are administered. Lialda is a delayed release tablet that is taken once a day while Rowasa is an enema that you insert rectally once a day, usually at bedtime. Rowasa is a good alternative if you have trouble swallowing pills, however Lialda may be more convenient. Lialda can take a few weeks for intitial effects to be felt. On the other hand, Rowasa works directly in your colon and can start working within 3 to 21 days. Rowasa can be uncomfortable to use and may cause rectal pain or soreness, which is not a concern with Lialda. Both forms can cause side effects like headache and stomach pain, but Rowasa also has a risk of causing allergic reactions due to its sulfite content. However, Rowasa does comes in a sulfite-free version. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics. Rowasa requires careful handling to avoid staining and must be stored properly to maintain its effectiveness.
