Mesalamine® Tablets for Ulcerative Colitis

This 5-aminosalicylic acid medicine helps manage mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. You will find clear information on how it works, how it’s taken, and ways to access therapy with US delivery from Canada. We also outline options for Mesalamine® without insurance.

What Mesalamine Is and How It Works

Border Free Health connects U.S. patients with licensed Canadian partner pharmacies; prescriptions are verified with prescribers before dispensing.

This medicine is an aminosalicylate that acts locally in the gut. It reduces inflammatory mediators in the intestinal lining, which can help ease rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and urgency. Different release technologies deliver the active drug to specific bowel segments. Coated tablets use pH-dependent coatings to dissolve in the terminal ileum and colon. Multi-matrix systems spread the active ingredient throughout the colon. Extended-release capsules gradually release drug in the small bowel and colon. Rectal suppositories and enemas deliver drug directly to the distal colon and rectum. Your prescriber chooses a formulation based on disease extent and symptom pattern.

Who It’s For

This treatment is used for adults with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis to induce remission and to help maintain remission. Rectal formulations are often chosen for proctitis or left-sided disease because they target the distal bowel. People with a history of salicylate hypersensitivity, severe kidney disease, or severe liver impairment should generally avoid it. Those allergic to sulfasalazine may also react to this class. Let your clinician know about past pancreatitis, heart inflammation, or blood disorders. Children and adolescents may use certain products when a prescriber determines it is appropriate.

To learn more about the condition, see Ulcerative Colitis.

Dosage and Usage

Follow the dosing instructions on your prescription label. Swallow tablets whole; do not crush, split, or chew coating-dependent products. Some patients receive Mesalamine extended-release capsules; swallow capsules intact and do not sprinkle unless the specific product labeling allows it. Take oral doses with or without food as directed by your prescriber and the product label. Try to take doses at the same time each day to support adherence. Rectal enemas are usually given at bedtime after a bowel movement. Suppositories are inserted rectally as directed and retained for the labeled time, often overnight. If instructions differ across brands, defer to the official label for your product.

Strengths and Forms

Availability can vary by manufacturer and country. Examples include Lialda 1.2 g tablets used for once-daily maintenance in some patients. Your prescription specifies the form and strength suitable for your case.

Product availability may change; your prescriber may choose an oral or rectal form based on disease distribution.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss an oral dose, take it when remembered unless it is close to the next dose. Skip the missed dose if timing is tight and resume your usual schedule. Do not double up. For rectal products, administer the next dose at the planned time unless your clinician advises otherwise. Keeping a daily reminder can help maintain a steady routine.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store at room temperature away from excessive moisture and heat. Keep tablets and capsules in their original container with desiccant when provided. Protect rectal enemas and suppositories from freezing and direct heat. Keep all medicines out of reach of children and pets. When traveling, carry your prescription in original labeled packaging and pack enough for your trip, plus extra for delays. A copy of your prescription or a summary medication list can be useful at security checkpoints. If flying, keep the treatment in your carry-on to avoid extreme temperatures in checked baggage.

Benefits

Aminosalicylate therapy can help reduce rectal bleeding, stool frequency, and urgency during flares. Maintenance use may help sustain remission once symptoms are controlled. Oral options provide broad colonic coverage. Rectal options target the distal bowel, which can be convenient for proctitis or left-sided disease. Some products are once daily, which may support adherence. As a class, these medicines are generally well tolerated for many patients under clinical supervision. For some, generic Mesalamine tablets may offer a cost-conscious route to stay on therapy.

Side Effects and Safety

• Headache or dizziness
• Nausea, abdominal pain, or diarrhea
• Gas or bloating
• Rash or itching
• Rectal discomfort with enemas or suppositories

Serious effects are uncommon but can occur. Seek urgent care for signs of kidney problems, severe abdominal pain, pancreatitis, chest pain, shortness of breath, worsening bloody diarrhea, yellowing skin or eyes, severe fatigue, or unusual bruising. An acute intolerance syndrome can mimic a flare with cramping and bloody diarrhea; contact your prescriber if symptoms worsen after starting therapy. Periodic kidney function monitoring is typically recommended, especially in those with risks.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Tell your clinician about all medicines and supplements. Caution is advised with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine due to myelosuppression risk. Use care with nephrotoxic agents, including certain NSAIDs. Acid-suppressing agents and antacids may alter the pH-dependent release of some products. Warfarin and other anticoagulants warrant careful monitoring. Report any history of salicylate allergy, G6PD deficiency, or prior myocarditis or pericarditis. Do not start, stop, or change dosing without guidance from your prescriber.

What to Expect Over Time

During active treatment, symptoms may gradually improve as inflammation decreases. Maintenance therapy is often continued to help prevent relapse once remission is achieved. If stools become more frequent, you pass more blood, or abdominal pain worsens, contact your healthcare professional. Keep follow-up visits for lab monitoring and treatment review. For colon health awareness, see our article Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Compare With Alternatives

Other 5-ASA options and local corticosteroids may be considered. Some patients use capsule-based 5-ASA that releases throughout the bowel. Others with distal disease may prefer targeted rectal therapy. Your prescriber may discuss switching within the class or adding a short course of a rectal steroid foam during flares.

Alternatives we carry include Pentasa® and Uceris® Rectal Foam. Your clinician can help select an option that fits your disease location and goals.

Pricing and Access

We highlight Mesalamine Canadian pricing so you can compare options transparently. Products are sourced through licensed partners and Ships from Canada to US after your prescription is verified. Cash-pay shoppers can review strengths and quantities that align with their prescription. If you use insurance for some medicines and pay cash for others, keep all records for your personal expense tracking. Our site features encrypted checkout. For category browsing, see Gastrointestinal. Looking for seasonal offers? Check Promotions for updates.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can differ by manufacturer and package size. If a requested form is unavailable, your prescriber may recommend a therapeutically appropriate alternative in the same class or a rectal option for distal disease. We cannot guarantee restock timing. For country-of-origin details on certain listings, see Canada.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

This therapy may suit adults with mild to moderate disease who can take oral or rectal 5-ASA under supervision. It may not suit those with severe kidney or liver problems, salicylate allergy, or prior intolerance to this class. Discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding with your prescriber to weigh benefits and risks.

To manage costs, ask your clinician about multi-month fills when appropriate. Set refill reminders so you do not miss doses. If you switch between products, confirm dose form and schedule to avoid waste. Some patients price-compare oral and rectal options based on their care plan. For those exploring branded options, Asacol HD without insurance can be discussed with your prescriber to consider value and fit. Bring your current medication list to every visit to coordinate care and avoid overlap.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Which form best matches my disease location?
• How should I take this with meals or other medicines?
• What lab tests and kidney checks do I need and how often?
• When should I consider adding a rectal formulation?
• What signs suggest intolerance versus a disease flare?
• How long might I continue maintenance therapy if stable?

Authoritative Sources

DailyMed: Mesalamine Prescribing Information

Health Canada Drug Product Database

Takeda: Lialda Product Information

Ready to proceed? You can place your order with prompt, express shipping and US shipping from Canada, with temperature-controlled handling when required. Prescription required. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice; always follow your prescriber and the official label.