Mesalamine for Ulcerative Colitis and Proctitis (Salofalk®/Pentasa®)

What Mesalamine Is and How It Works

Mesalamine is a 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) medicine used to treat mild to moderate ulcerative colitis and proctitis. It is available as oral tablets or capsules, and as rectal suppositories or enemas. Many patients search “Mesalamine buy” and compare options, including Mesalamine without insurance. YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy in Manitoba that meets Canadian pharmacy standards. Pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing, and friendly customer-service chat is available during posted office hours. We ship brand and generic medicines at Canadian prices, and also carry OTC health products. We source through licensed and vetted partner pharmacies to supply authentic brands and a wide selection at affordable pricing.

Mesalamine acts topically on the colonic mucosa to reduce inflammation. It inhibits inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. In ulcerative colitis, it helps induce remission and maintain remission. Oral forms act along the intestine using pH-dependent or time-release coatings. Rectal forms deliver high local concentrations for distal disease.

Dosage and Usage

Dosing varies by brand, formulation, and treatment goal (induction vs maintenance). Follow the exact schedule provided by the prescriber and product labeling.

• Common oral regimens: divided doses of 2–4 g/day, or once-daily 1.2–2.4 g with certain long-acting tablets.
• Rectal regimens: suppositories (e.g., 500 mg or 1 g) once or twice daily; enemas (e.g., 4 g/60 mL) at bedtime.
• Take tablets/capsules whole. Do not crush or chew delayed- or extended-release products.
• Use rectal products after a bowel movement when possible for best retention.
• Maintenance doses are lower than induction doses.

Missed dose:

• If a dose is missed, take it when remembered unless it is near the next dose.
• Do not double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Storage and travel:

• Store at 15–30°C, dry, in the original container.
• Keep away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight.
• During travel, keep medicine in carry-on with the prescription label.
• Do not leave medicine in a parked car or checked luggage.
• Use a reminder app or calendar to keep on schedule.

Benefits and Savings

Mesalamine reduces rectal bleeding, urgency, and stool frequency in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. It helps heal the mucosa and supports long-term remission. Rectal forms are effective for proctitis and left-sided colitis, while oral forms treat more extensive disease. Once-daily options support adherence.

Ordering from YouDrugstore can lower costs versus typical US retail. Many customers report 60–80% savings, which may be helpful for those paying without insurance. Multi-month supplies can reduce the per-month cost. Customer-service chat can help with ordering questions during posted hours.

Side Effects and Safety

Most people tolerate mesalamine well. Side effects are usually mild and improve with continued use. Serious reactions are uncommon but need prompt attention.

• Common: headache, nausea, abdominal pain, gas, diarrhea or constipation, dizziness, mild rash, fatigue.
• Less common: dyspepsia, fever, joint pain, cough, back pain, rectal irritation (with suppositories/enemas).
• Serious: signs of kidney problems (swelling, reduced urination), pancreatitis (severe abdominal pain, vomiting), liver issues (yellowing skin/eyes, dark urine), severe rash or hives, chest pain or shortness of breath (myocarditis/pericarditis), blood disorders (unusual bruising, pallor). Seek urgent care if these occur.

Cautions include salicylate allergy, significant kidney or liver disease, and certain gastric surgeries that alter pH or transit. Some formulations contain sodium or aspartame; check labels if sodium restriction or phenylketonuria is relevant. Drug interactions are possible with azathioprine/6-MP and other agents. Regular monitoring may be advised for long-term therapy.

Onset Time

Symptom improvement often appears within 1–2 weeks of consistent use. Mucosal healing may take 4–8 weeks or longer. Rectal formulations can ease distal symptoms within days when retained well. Maintenance therapy helps sustain remission.

Compare With Alternatives

Other 5-ASA options include different mesalamine brands and release technologies. For patients needing brand-specific formulations, Salofalk® is a common Canadian brand with oral and rectal forms. For distal disease, suppositories may be preferred; see Pentasa® Suppositories for a local-treatment option. Sulfasalazine is an older 5-ASA prodrug that may suit some patients but can cause more nausea and headache due to the sulfa moiety.

When inflammation is more severe or unresponsive, short courses of corticosteroids (e.g., budesonide or prednisone) may be used. For moderate to severe cases or frequent relapses, prescribers may consider immunomodulators or biologics. The choice depends on disease extent, severity, past response, and tolerance.

Combination Therapy

Combining oral and rectal mesalamine can improve distal healing compared with either alone. During induction, prescribers may add a rectal foam, suppository, or enema to an oral regimen for proctitis or left-sided colitis. Short steroid tapers or budesonide MMX can be layered for flares. Maintenance generally returns to mesalamine alone when stable. Therapy is individualized based on symptoms, endoscopic findings, and safety considerations.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Mesalamine is intended for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis and proctitis. It is not useful for Crohn’s disease outside of limited colonic involvement. People with salicylate allergy, significant renal impairment, severe hepatic disease, or a history of mesalamine-induced myocarditis or pancreatitis should discuss suitability with a prescriber. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions weigh disease control and product-specific data. Children and older adults may need adjusted regimens. For broader context, see our condition pages for Ulcerative Colitis and Proctitis, and read our article Ibs What Is Ibs Causes Symptoms Treatment to understand differences between inflammatory and functional bowel conditions.

To manage costs, consider larger fills when a stable dose is set, as multi-month supplies often lower the monthly price. Set reorder reminders so therapy is not interrupted. For current offers, see our Mesalamine coupon and bulk options. Savings can be meaningful for those paying Mesalamine without insurance.

Authoritative Sources

Health Canada Drug Product Database (Mesalamine)

FDA Drug Labeling and Approval Reports

Ferring Canada (Mesalamine and GI Portfolio)

YouDrugstore provides caring service and Canadian pricing, with prescriptions reviewed by licensed pharmacists before dispensing. Order online or by phone where available, and receive prompt, express, cold-chain shipping to protect medicines in transit.

This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your prescriber and the product labeling.