Mesalamine (rectal)

Mesalamine (rectal) is used to treat ulcerative colitis, proctitis, and proctosigmoiditis in adults.

Mesalamine (rectal) may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Call your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain, cramping, and bloody diarrhea (which may happen with fever, headache, and skin rash).

You should not use mesalamine if you are allergic to mesalamine, aspirin, sulfasalazine, or salicylates (such as Disalcid, Doans Pills, Dolobid, Kaopectate, Nuprin Backache, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a skin condition such as eczema;
• a kidney stone or kidney disease;
• asthma or sulfite allergy; or
• liver disease.

If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you see diarrhea in the nursing baby.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Mesalamine may cause serious side effects. Stop using mesalamine and call your doctor immediately if you have:

• severe stomach pain, cramping, bloody diarrhea;
• fever, headache, general ill feeling;
• rash, itching, eye redness;
• low white blood cell counts--fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, feeling light-headed, trouble breathing;
• signs of a kidney stone--severe pain in your side and back, frequent need to urinate, foul-smelling urine, dark or cloudy urine; or
• kidney problems--increased or decreased urination, swelling, weight gain.

Low white blood cell counts may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects of mesalamine may include:

• fever;
• dizziness;
• rectal pain, colitis;
• rash; or
• acne.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not take a rectal suppository or enema by mouth. Use it only in your rectum.

For best results, use mesalamine rectal at bedtime. Try to empty your bowel and bladder before using rectal medicine. Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine.

Wash your hands before and after using rectal medicine.

Remove the wrapper before inserting the suppository. Avoid handling the suppository too long or it will melt. Lie on your back with your knees up toward your chest. Gently insert the suppository into your rectum about 1 inch, pointed tip first.

Stay lying down for a few minutes while the suppository melts. You should feel little or no discomfort. Avoid using the bathroom for 1 to 3 hours or longer, if possible.

Shake the rectal enema liquid well just before each use.

Drink plenty of liquids while you are using mesalamine.

To use the enema, lie on your left side with your left leg extended and your right leg slightly bent. Remove the cap from the applicator tip and gently insert the tip into your rectum. Slowly squeeze the bottle to empty the contents into the rectum.

After using the enema, lie down on your left side for at least 30 minutes to allow the liquid to distribute throughout your intestines. Avoid using the bathroom, and hold in the enema at least 8 hours, or all night, if possible.

Drink plenty of water each day.

It may take up to 3 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

You may need frequent blood tests to check your blood cells or kidney function.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using mesalamine.

Store at cool room temperature away from moisture and heat.

The enema liquid may darken in color after it has been removed from the foil pouch. This should not affect the medicine. However, throw away any enema liquid that has turned dark brown.

Skip the missed dose and wait until your next bedtime to use the medicine. Do not use two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not let mesalamine get on clothing, floors, painted surfaces, vinyl, marble, granite, or other surfaces. Mesalamine rectal products may stain these surfaces.

If you have a skin condition like eczema, mesalamine could make you more likely to get sunburned. Avoid sunlight and tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outside.

Mesalamine can be harmful to your kidneys, especially if you are taking certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Inform your doctor about all the other medicines you are taking, especially:

• azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine; or

This list is not complete. Other medications may affect mesalamine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions with drugs are listed here.