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
- Stomach pain, cramps, or discomfort (8%)
- Headache (7%)
- Gas (6%)
- Nausea (6%)
- Flu-like symptoms (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach bloating
- Pain, soreness, or burning at rectum
- Leg or joint pain
- Back pain
- Hemorrhoids
- Kidney stones
- Hair loss
- Dizziness
- Tiredness or weakness
- Cold-like symptoms or sore throat
- Fever
- Itching
- Rash or spots on skin
Mesalamine serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction: itchy; red rash (hives); shortness of breath; chest tightness; swelling of lips, tongue, face, or eyes
- Serious skin reaction: severe rash, itchy skin, skin pain or redness, blisters, weakness, cough, fever
- Acute intolerance syndrome: stomach pain or cramps, bloody diarrhea, nausea, fever, headache, rash
Source: DailyMed
The following Mesalamine side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Dry cough, shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Heart muscle inflammation—unusual weakness or fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands
- Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
- Kidney stones—blood in the urine, pain or trouble passing urine, pain in the lower back or sides
- Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Mesalamine intolerance syndrome—stomach pain or cramping, bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle pain, fever, rash
- Rash, fever, and swollen lymph nodes
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Nausea
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sensitivity to light
- Sore throat
- Stomach pain
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