Mesalazine is an intestinal anti-inflammatory indicated for the treatment of inflammatory intestinal diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, for example, as it works by reducing inflammation to prevent and reduce crises.
This medicine can be provided free of charge by the SUS or purchased in pharmacies or drugstores in the form of coated or prolonged-release tablets, rectal suppositories or enema, with the trade names Mesacol or Pentasa, or as generic “mesalazine”.
Mesalazine should be used with the advice of a gastroenterologist or proctologist, in doses and for the duration of treatment advised by the doctor, according to the condition to be treated.
What is it for
Mesalazine is indicated for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases, such as:
- Ulcerative colitis;
- Crohn’s disease;
- Proctite ulcerativa;
- Proctossigmoidite ulcerativa;
- Diverticular disease of the colon.
This remedy works by reducing intestinal inflammation, treating, preventing and reducing crises, and may also be indicated for the prevention of diverticulitis.
The use of mesalazine should only be done with the advice of a gastroenterologist or proctologist, who should advise on the form of use, doses and duration of treatment.
Make an appointment with the gastroenterologist in the nearest region:
Taking care of your health has never been easier!
How to use
The way to use mesalazine varies depending on its presentation, which includes:
1. Mesalazine 800mg
Mesalazine 800 mg in the form of coated tablets or delayed-release tablets should be taken orally, with a glass of water. The tablets should be taken whole, without breaking or chewing.
The recommended doses for adults are:
- Ulcerative colitis: 2,400 to 4,800 mg per day in divided doses to induce remission. After achieving remission of the disease, the doctor may change the dose to 1,200 to 2,400 mg per day;
- Crohn’s disease: 2,400 mg of mesalazine per day, in divided doses, to maintain remission.
- Symptomatic diverticular disease: 800 mg, twice a day, for 7 consecutive days each month.
The maximum dose of mesalazine per day should not exceed 4,800 mg, and dose changes should be advised by your doctor.
2. Mesalazine 400 mg
Mesalazine 400 mg tablets should be taken orally, with a glass of water, at times recommended by your doctor and away from meal times.
The doses normally recommended for adults for initial treatment are 1 to 2 400 mg coated tablets, 3 times a day, as per medical advice.
In more serious cases, the doctor may recommend a dose of 10 tablets of 400 mg of mesalazine per day.
The duration of treatment with the 400 mg mesalazine tablet can last around 6 to 12 weeks, in the active phase of the disease, however, it can vary according to the person’s response to treatment.
Furthermore, to avoid relapses, the doctor may recommend long-term treatment, reducing doses gradually.
3. Mesalazine 500 mg
Mesalazine 500 mg extended-release tablets should also be taken orally, with a glass of water or dissolved in 50 mL of water and taken immediately.
The typically recommended doses of mesalazine 500 mg tablets for adults are:
- Ulcerative colitis: up to 4000 mg (4g) per day, in divided doses, for acute treatment, and the dose must be advised by the doctor on an individual basis. For maintenance treatment, the normally recommended dose is 2000 mg (2g), once a day, or in divided doses;
- Crohn’s disease: up to 4000 mg (4g) per day, in divided doses, for acute and maintenance treatment, as per medical advice.
In the case of children over 2 years of age for the treatment of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, the normally recommended doses are 20 to 30mg/kg of body weight per day, which must be calculated by the doctor.
4. Mesalazine 1200 mg
Mesalazine 1200 mg in modified-release tablet form is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis only in adults over 18 years of age.
The normally recommended doses are 2400 mg to 4800 mg (2 to 4 tablets of 1200 mg), per day, in a single dose, taken orally, preferably at the same time every day, before or after a meal.
The duration of treatment must be guided by the doctor, and is generally 8 consecutive weeks.
5. Mesalazine suppository
Mesalazine in the form of a suppository can be found in doses of 250 mg, 500 mg or 1000 mg (1g), and must be used rectally, only by adults, applying it to the anus, after having a bowel movement and cleaning the anal region.
The recommended doses of mesalazine suppository for the treatment of ulcerative proctitis are:
- 250 mg suppositories: 2 to 4 250 mg suppositories per day;
- 500 mg suppositories: 1 to 2 suppositories of 500 mg up to 3 times a day;
- 1000 mg suppositories (1g): 1 suppository of 1g, 1 to 2 times a day, for 4 weeks, or as per medical advice.
The maximum dose is 4000mg (4g) per day and should not be exceeded.
To apply the suppository, you must wash your hands, open the envelope without breaking or breaking the suppository, lie down in a comfortable position and insert the suppository into the anus until you feel resistance. Wash your hands after application and remain lying down for at least 15 minutes.
To facilitate application, you can moisten the suppository with a little water before applying it to the anus.
After application, it is recommended to try to keep the suppository in the rectum for at least 1 to 3 hours, and if the suppository comes out of the anus within 10 minutes after application, it is recommended to insert another suppository.
6. Mesalazine enema
Mesalazine enema 10 mg/mL must be used rectally, applied directly to the anus, using the applicator in the individual bottle.
The recommended dose for adults is 1 enema per day, at night, before bed, or as advised by a doctor.
To apply the enema you must:
- Clean the anal region and wash your hands with water and neutral soap, and dry with a clean, dry towel;
- Clean the enema bottle with 70% alcohol and shake the contents of the bottle well;
- With the bottle facing up, remove the protective cover from the applicator;
- Lie on your left side and bend your knees;
- Insert the applicator tip into the anus slowly;
- Squeeze the bottle to release the medicine;
- Remove the applicator from the anus, with the bottle still pressed, and wait lying on your left side for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the feeling of needing to have a bowel movement passes.
After application, the mesalazine enema bottle must be discarded, and it is also recommended to protect the bed linen, as the enema may accidentally leak from the rectum and stain the fabric.
7. Mesalazine granules
Mesalazine in the form of granules can be found in doses of 1g and 2g, and used orally, only by adults over 18 years of age.
The doses normally recommended for the treatment of ulcerative colitis in adults are:
- Acute treatment: up to 4g per day, which can be taken once a day (4 sachets of 1g or 2 sachets of 2g) at the same time in the morning, or twice a day (2 sachets of 1g or 1 sachet of 2g), taken in the morning and at night;
- Maintenance treatment: 2g, once a day (2 sachets of 1g or 1 sachet of 2g).
To use the granules, you must open the sachet and completely empty its contents onto your tongue, and then drink a glass of water.
The granules should not be diluted in water before use and should not be chewed.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects of mesalazine are diarrhea, abdominal pain, excess intestinal gas, nausea, vomiting, headache, or skin blisters.
In addition, fever, hives, muscle pain or a feeling of weakness and general lack of energy may also appear.
In the case of the suppository or enema, local side effects may occur, such as pain, discomfort, irritation, itching or tenesmus. In addition, worsening of ulcerative colitis may also occur.
Who shouldn’t use
Mesalazine should not be used by people who have severe liver and kidney failure, stomach or intestinal ulcers, an increased risk of intestinal bleeding or an allergy to salicylates or any component of the formula.
Furthermore, mesalazine 400 mg, 800 mg, 1200 mg tablets, sachet, enema or suppository should not be used by children under 2 years of age.
During pregnancy or breastfeeding, mesalazine should only be used if recommended by the doctor after evaluating the benefits of the treatment for the woman and the possible risks for the baby.
Sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date with exclusive news
that can transform your routine!
