Mesalazine 400 mg (DR)

Category- Allopathy

Medicine Highlights

Mesalazine Uses

Mesalazine 400 mg (DR) is an oral medicine belonging to the category of aminosalicylates and is used for the following indications:

1. Inflammatory bowel disease 
2. Crohn’s disease 
3. Ulcerative colitis 

Mesalazine side effects 

More Common  

1. Burping, constipation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, gas; 
2. Dizziness; 
3. Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; 
4. Back pain; 
5. Headache; 
6. Rash; or 
7. Abnormal liver function tests. 

Less Common 

1. Severe stomach pain, stomach cramping, bloody diarrhea
2. Fever, headache, general ill feeling
3. Rash, itching, eye redness
4. Bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
5. Low white blood cell counts, fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, feeling light-headed, trouble breathing
6. Signs of a kidney stone include severe pain in your side and back, frequent need to urinate, foul-smelling urine, dark or cloudy urine. 
7. Kidney problems, increased or decreased urination, swelling, weight gain
8. Liver problems, loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, tiredness, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, clay-colored stools, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

How Mesalazine works 

Mesalazine is like a soothing balm for the inside of the gut, used for ulcerative colitis. Instead of working throughout the whole body, mesalazine gently settles right at the troubled spot in the colon, calming the inflammation by stopping substances that fuel the fire and protecting the gut lining so it can heal. It also blocks signals that tell the body to keep attacking, allowing the colon to rest and recover. In short, mesalazine helps restore peace in the gut without disturbing the rest of the body.

Safety Measures and Warning 

Pregnancy

Mesalazine is known to be safe for use in pregnancy, and it is recommended to meet the doctor in case of any side effects.

Breastfeeding

Mesalazine passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop mesalazine.

Liver Problems

There are studies stating that patients having liver problems are not recommended to take this medicine, as it can cause severe liver failure.

Kidney Problems

There are various studies supporting the statement that mesalazine is a nephrotoxic drug and can cause severe kidney failure in patients with previous kidney diseases.

Mesalazine Interaction with Food Product 

Alcohol and smoking can simultaneously affect the drug’s action and can cause an increase or decrease in the drug’s action.

Mesalazine Interaction with Other Medicines  

Avoid taking mesalazine 400 mg (DR) with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:

Mesalazine Chemical Structure

IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name

5-amino-2-hydroxybenzoic acid

Intake routine/cycle

Daily dose

Take mesalazine exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication as soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.

Overdose

It is not recommended to take more than 4000 mg of mesalazine per day, as it may cause severe overdosing effects like diarrhea, kidney and liver damage, heart problems, and pancreatitis. If you face any of the severe effects, take him to the doctor. 

Storage

1. Store the medicine at room temperature.
2. Keep away from sunlight and moisture.
3. Keep out of reach of children.

Directions for use 

1. Take mesalazine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day. 
2. Do not stop taking mesalazine without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better. 
3. If you forget to take mesalazine, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. 

Mesalazine Summary 

Mesalazine is a medicine used to treat bowel conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, which cause irritation, bleeding, and frequent loose stools. It works inside the intestines to reduce inflammation, similar to how aloe soothes a sunburn, making digestion more comfortable. Some people may experience mild side effects like stomach pain, headache, nausea, or loose motion. Those with kidney problems or aspirin allergies should avoid it, and it may interact with drugs like azathioprine or absorb poorly if taken with milk. Store it in a cool, dry place and always follow your doctor’s instructions. 

FAQ’s

What are the brand names of mesalazine? 

Apriso and Asacol are the most famous brand names of mesalazine. Although mesalazine is sold under many brand names, the core medicinal ingredient is the same—but not all brands meet the safety standards set by India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). That’s where online Pharmacy like SayaCare steps in, we not only provide the medication but also include a verified quality test report, so patients can trust they’re receiving a safe and effective treatment, backed by transparency and assurance.

What are the side effects of mesalazine 400 mg? 

Some people may feel sleepy, dizzy, or sick to the stomach or have trouble sleeping when they start taking it, but these usually go away with time in using mesalazine.

What is the mechanism of action of mesalazine?

Mesalazine treats ulcerative colitis by targeting inflammation directly in the colon, blocking harmful substances, and protecting the gut lining to promote healing like a soothing balm for the digestive tract.

What are the side effects of mesalazine?

Mesalazine is a medicine from the amino salicylate group, used to treat bowel conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Some people may feel mild stomach aches, headaches, nausea, or loose motions while taking it.

Reference 

1. WebMD. Mesalamine (Lialda, Pentasa, and others): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings and Dosing [Internet]. 2024 Nov 29 [cited 2025 Jul 14]. Available from. 
2. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Mesalamine [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2020 Jan 26 [cited 2025 Jul 14]. Available from. 
3. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Mesalamine [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2020 Jan 26 [cited 2025 Jul 14]. Available from. 
4. Mayo Clinic. Mesalamine (oral route): Description, Uses, Side Effects and Precautions [Internet]. 2024 Nov 29 [cited 2025 Jul 14]. Available from. 
5. Drugs.com. Mesalamine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings and Interactions [Internet]. 2024 Nov 21 [cited 2025 Jul 14]. Available from. 

Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy

Siva Krishna Adithya Bhumireddy completed Bachelor of Pharmacy from GIET School of Pharmacy affiliated to Andhra University and from his 3rd year of graduation itself he was working as a freelance Medical and Publication writer and having expertise in Systematic reviews and clinical research. With his keen interest and skills in research and documentation practices he also reviewed more than 100 manuscripts from international journals like Elsevier, Springer Nature, Sage Journals and all the manuscripts were indexed and appeared in Pub Med, Scopus and Web of Science databases and received honorary recognition letters and certificates from all of them. Siva Krishna Adithya also published few systematic, narrative reviews and few chapters of international expertise.